Court fines driver $1000 for driving in Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area

Media release: 16 December 2014

A driver who ignored “no entry” signs, locked gates and other barriers to illegally drive through the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area was fined $1,000 in Port Kembla Local Court on December 12.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) originally fined Matthew Simon Prykaza $300 for driving in an area of the State Conservation Area that was closed to public vehicle access, but he elected to have the matter heard in court.

NPWS Area Manager Anthony Horwood said illegal driving through protected parts of the Illawarra Escarpment was a serious problem and he welcomed the magistrate’s ruling.

“These activities cause cumulative harm to sensitive wetlands within the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, which provide habitat to endangered species” Mr Horwood said.

“People are welcome to visit and enjoy this area on foot or bicycle, but motor vehicles are not permitted, in order to protect environmental values such as undisturbed water catchments and rare and threatened species.

“There are many areas in national parks and state conservation areas where four-wheel driving is permitted because it can be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“Where vehicles are not permitted, it’s important that the public respect this, and we hope the court’s decision will discourage other drivers from illegally driving in restricted and sensitive parts of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.”

Photo for news media:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nswnationalparks/15847037257/

Contact: Lucy Morrell