Tourists risk $22,000 fine with 'selfish' native plant act in Aussie national park

The spate of waratah thefts has prompted authorities in NSW to install signs and even paint stems blue.

Left, double headed waratah flowers that were later cut and removed. Right, NSW National Parks staff paint the stem of a Waratah blue to prevent thefts.
To deter culprits from taking waratahs, signage has been installed and some of the flowers’ stems have been painted with a 'non-toxic blue paint'. Source: Facebook/Wild Blue Mountains/NSW National Parks

A “surprising threat” is targeting one of Australia’s most iconic native plants, sparking a furious warning from authorities. The “stunning” waratah — NSW’s state emblem and once a hot contender for the national flower — has started “going missing” from national parks, authorities have revealed.

It appears thieving visitors are risking a potential $22,000 fine to hack the bright crimson wildflowers off their stems. More than 20 of the protected flowers have recently “disappeared” from the Brisbane Water National Park on the Central Coast alone, NSW National Parks confirmed to Yahoo News.

“It is illegal to pick waratahs or any other plant in any area protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act,” an NPWS spokesperson said, adding rangers can issue $300 on-the-spot infringements to those caught illegally picking the flower.

“The maximum fine under the Biodiversity Conservation Act is $22,000. NPWS is keen to receive details of anyone illegally picking waratahs.”

Left a sign installed by NSW National Parks warning people against picking waratahs. Right the sliced stem of a Waratah in the Blue Mountains.
Iconic waratah flowers have been disappearing from NSW National Parks this wildflower season. Source: NSW National Parks/Instagram

Last week, NSW National Parks said online it had installed signage about “helping protect the Waratah” to deter culprits from taking them. Some of the flowers’ stems have also been painted with a “non-toxic blue paint”.

“Waratahs need to go through their full lifecycle to produce seeds, so picking them deprives the ecosystem of a new generation of plants,” NSW National Parks said.

“These flowers are more than just a pretty face, they also provide nectar for birds and other native animals. Please leave them be so we can all enjoy more of these beautiful flowers in years to come.

“If you want to pick something in a national park, pick your nose instead!”

Locals in the Blue Mountains have also hit out at “selfish” tourists for savagely “ripping” waratahs from their stems over the long weekend. Images posted on Facebook show one of the famous bush flowers shrivelled up on the ground after being removed and a remaining slashed stem.

“Just went to check on a beautiful double header waratah in local bushland only to find someone, well prepared with their secateurs, has cut it clean off. Beyond disgusted!” environmental conservation organisation Wild Blue Mountains said.

Left, a waratah drying up on the ground after being removed. Right the remnants of a ripped waratah stem in the Blue Mountains.
Locals in the Blue Mountains said they have also seen a spate of waratah vandalism. Source: Facebook/Wild Blue Mountains

“This is just not on. They had been giving joy to everyone who passed them but now they’re gone due to one person’s selfish actions.”

The group said the vandalised wildflowers had now “been deprived of the opportunity to seed”, therefore reducing biodiversity in the area.

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