Parks warning on unlicensed bikes

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has warned drivers about responsible vehicle behaviour at Mt Lindesay National Park after issuing a number of fines for illegal vehicle use recently.

DPaW rangers handed out three $200 fines to people caught illegally riding trail bikes in the national park north of Denmark.

Two bikes were unlicensed while another was deemed unroadworthy with no number plate, indicators or mirrors.

Only licensed motorbikes can be used legally on open roads within national parks and State forest.

DPaW district manager Cameron Shaw said off-road vehicles needed to adhere to park regulations.

“Illegal trail bike riding poses a significant threat to the high conservation values within the national park, which is known for a range of rare plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world,” he said.

“Mt Lindesay and Little Mt Lindesay are important areas for rare plant species.

“There are five declared rare species and 26 priority-listed species in Mt Lindesay National Park.

“What might seem like a harmless bit of fun can have dire and long-term consequences for some very significant plant species.”

Mr Shaw also cited issues relating to the soil fungal disease jarrah dieback.

“Motorbike and quad bike tyres can carry a significant amount of soil and increase the chance of spreading dieback, a soil-borne pathogen which attacks the roots of susceptible plant species,” he said.

“The disease presents one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in WA, affecting about 40 per cent of flora in the South West of the State.

“If in doubt about what you can do or where to go, please check with one of our rangers or call the local Parks and Wildlife office for more information.”