No camping at Valley of the Lagoons

Residents are being encouraged to heed land use restrictions and not go camping or use motorised recreation vehicles at the Reedybrook Stock Route Reserve, at the Valley of the Lagoons.

Permanent signage has been installed at the popular weekend spot, approximately 250 km north of Charters Towers, to inform the community of the permitted land use requirements.

The Reedybrook Stock Route Reserve is part of the Queensland stock route network which is primarily used for moving stock, pasture for emergency agistment and sustainable long-term grazing.

Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor, Cr Frank Beveridge, said that stock routes need to be managed carefully.

“I realise that some in the community will be shocked to learn that camping and motorised recreation isn’t allowed at Reedybrook, however, it is a stock route which means those activities are prohibited.

“The use of stock route reserves are heavily regulated as they form a critical part of the travelling stock network. They are valued by our community as they contribute to the pastoral industry and economy.

“The stock route network is also valued for comprising native flora and fauna, remnant vegetation and Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage. Stock route activities need to be managed carefully to protect and enhance the land’s natural resources.

“Council has been working with the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy to encourage the community and visitors to use the stock reserves in our region responsibly.

“This means, no camping, no fires, no dumping, no firearms and no motorised recreation. You can still access reserves as public land to undertake short term low impact activities,” said Mayor Beveridge.

In the coming months, signage will be placed at various stock routes in the region to inform the community about the restrictions.

Penalties will apply for those who ignore the restrictions.

OGG 23 April 2020