Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(67,137 posts)
Mon Oct 20, 2025, 06:40 PM Monday

Man illegally bulldozes mile-long stretch of national park to build driveway

Last edited Mon Oct 20, 2025, 07:32 PM - Edit history (1)

This happened in Queensland, which is the Texas of Australia. There’s a Queensland-to-Oklahoma pipeline of rodeo riders. Check out the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo team.

Man illegally bulldozes mile-long stretch of national park to build driveway

Authorities say the destruction caused extensive environmental damage that could take years to repair.

Alesandra Dubin
Creator
Aug 30, 2025 1 min read

A 74-year-old man has been fined after carving a makeshift driveway through a protected national park in Queensland, Australia.

Authorities say Frank Reginald Jones used heavy machinery, including a front loader, to clear a dirt track stretching more than two kilometers (about 1.2 miles) through Bowling Green Bay National Park, south of Townsville, according to a report in Australia's ABC News. Over the course of eight months, he not only cut through bushland but also dumped concrete, bricks, and pipes to build makeshift causeways and even a boat ramp.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife conservation officer Craig Dunk said Jones had previously been warned that any works within the park would require a permit. “It’s been a massive eyesore in that area for nearly four years now … it has ruined it,” he told ABC. Investigators found that the path cut through more than 19,000 square meters of bushland, including mangrove habitats and other protected plants.

The national park is internationally recognized for its wetlands and birdlife, and is home to multiple endangered and vulnerable species. Officials say cleanup and restoration will begin soon, but warn that recovery will take significant time. Crews will need to remove waste materials, a burned truck, and restore damaged waterways.

{snip}
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Man illegally bulldozes mile-long stretch of national park to build driveway (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Monday OP
There is actually a Texas in Queensland ScoutHikerDad Monday #1

ScoutHikerDad

(80 posts)
1. There is actually a Texas in Queensland
Mon Oct 20, 2025, 06:55 PM
Monday

It's a small town in the Eastern bush of Queensland that looks a lot like, well, Texas. We passed through it on a pretty extensive tour of Australia in the summer of '18 with my wife's best friend who lives in Brisbane, or "Brizzy" to locals, since every term down under must be shortened and have an "ee" or "oh"-sounding suffix: thus "sunnies" for sunglasses, "chockee" for chocolate, a "bottle-o" for the liquor store, a "smoke-oh" for smoke break-the list is endless.

Free national parks are everywhere down under, and showcase the country's astonishing natural resources. I loved it (and also New Zealand) so much, I would move down there if we could afford it!

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Australia»Man illegally bulldozes m...