Story by Hamish Broome •
THEY PROBABLY think they are being “in tune” with their environment by having a party on the beach, but they’re sorely mistaken.
In fact party goers at an illegal rave at Tallow Creek on New Year’s Eve have shown a complete disregard for the sensitive coastal area, leaving others to collect an estimated 50 cubic metres of trash from the pristine beach.
National Parks is working with police to investigate the event, which occurred on the shores of the estuary in Arakwal National Park, located between Suffolk Park and Cape Byron.
Local residents heard the noise and made complaints.
Tens of partygoers, who can be seen milling around on the morning of New Year’s Day in photographs provided to The Northern Star, seem oblivious to their impact.
The NPWS is interested to hear from anyone who may have information about the event. Call the local National Parks office on 1300 361 967 Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
It’s part of Australian youth culture to party beyond the balance of commonsense and with no inhibiting instinct for not crossing the line of self preservation or of not committing irresponsible acts. Everything has become more extreme. Everything is pushing boundaries to get more of a hit. Instant gratification me me me now now now and due to numbness caused by sensory overload of frenetic media, everything has to be louder faster shinier. And it’s not just youth. A lot seem to have to be stimulated to feel alive. Whatever. Ofcourse there’s no excuse for acting worse than animals. They at least clean up after themselves. But its the drugs and alcohol that reduce humans to idiots. And the mixture seems more extreme these days. And in the herd any sense goes out the window. If we took the same crew back to see the mess when they are sober they would be mortified. Surely we can teach the next generation there are other ways to enjoy themselves without self destruction and losing awareness of behaviour. I’m sorry for the beach and wildlife. These same kids grow up and breed. As Colin said ..families leave a damn big mess too so it’s not just parties doing it. Imagine the kids growing up with parents who don’t model social behaviour. Anyone who has seen Fortitude Valley on a Saturday night like the Ambos do knows Australia has a problem. And Byron Bay has too because State Govt Tourism is promoting our shire even more…story in recent Echo ..yet not funding infrastructure to match..to cope. The bins need more frequent emptying when high season hits..the town needs cleaning up more often. Its trashed in the streets. And on the beaches. And here I am pissed off at shoes dangling from PowerLines.
This is a national park reserve. There are very few places remaining for wildlife to live in peace, feed breed and continue on. They have a right to. There are likewise plenty of places for people to party and enjoy themselves without them going to Tallows. I have NO sympathy for noisy self centred self indulgent people trashing the place killing wildlife habitat and the creatures themselves. It is pathetic that people cant have a bit of respect for something . Heavy fines and community service orders are in order.
I go to this beach every day. I have seen the beach after many parties there. The clean up is very good but there are always some cigarette butts and bottle tops left. The worst thing is the toilet paper scattered around.
Every day I pick up trash from that beach and can tell you that families and day trippers leave MORE mess behind than the parties do.
I collect about 10-25 cigarette butts and 5-10 bottle tops plus assorted candy wrappers every day during the summer!!!!!
Don’t just blame the party goers