The “long weekend season” is approaching and a lot of people are travelling into the Gulf, local dams and inland rivers for fishing competitions and camping trips. Many people from Mount Isa, Cloncurry and surrounding towns are making these trips with family and friends and are asked to be careful while travelling to and from their destinations.
As an advisory organisation, MIFSG ask all campers and fishermen to consider the environment while on holidays. Dispose of all rubbish in the appropriate manner. Bring your rubbish home in a sealed bag if no refuse tip is available. Your rubbish should take less than one third of the space it took coming out and there’s no good reason to leave it behind. If camping dig deep latrines far away from water and cover your stools effectively, there’s nothing worse than finding a good campsite littered with paper and filth. If a little care is taken, the next family that comes along can appreciate and enjoy that campsite as well.
If you are accessing rivers or dams through cattle properties, please respect the grazier’s livelihood by gaining permission to cross their land and do not interfere with their stock. This will mean leaving your dogs at home for the weekend and rec losing gates that you pass through. Most people already have this type of respect for others and the environment and practice good conservation and people skills.
There are those who don’t value the country and people we have and disregard normal courtesy. If a friendly word to campers or fishermen who are not respecting the environment or another persons land does not work, a picture and registration number should be supported by the landholder and authorities so the actions of the very few idiots can be reported. Most of us are out to enjoy ourselves and will be able to do so if we take care of the land, water and ourselves.
MIFSG is a volunteer community group that stocks local dams for community benefit