Fraser Coast Mayor Advocates for Child Camping Restrictions on K'gari
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour has proposed a significant change to camping regulations on K'gari, calling for children to be prohibited from camping on the island. This recommendation follows the tragic discovery of 19-year-old Canadian tourist Piper James, who was found deceased and surrounded by dingoes. The mayor's stance emerges amidst growing community concerns about safety on the popular wilderness destination.
Rejecting Extreme Measures in Favour of Targeted Safety
Despite the heightened anxiety surrounding dingo interactions, Mayor Seymour firmly rejected calls for more drastic actions. He explicitly opposed both the culling of dingo populations and the complete closure of the island to tourists. Speaking on national television, Seymour emphasised that preserving K'gari's unique wilderness character remains paramount to its identity and visitor experience.
The mayor articulated his position clearly, stating, "K'gari is a natural place where people go to experience the wilderness. The dingoes are an essential part of that." He further explained that while safety must be prioritised, "ultimately in the end, a wilderness does involve risks, and the dingoes are an essential part of K'gari, and they shouldn't be culled."
Specific Proposal for Child Safety
Seymour's specific recommendation focuses on children under eight years old. He revealed that recent dingo incidents have predominantly involved young children, which has shaped his evolving perspective on camping regulations. "Over the past four or five years, we have seen an increase in the severity and the frequency of dingo attacks," Seymour acknowledged. "This has mostly been against young children eight and under. That's why I've become more of the view that young children shouldn't be camping over there outside of fenced areas."
The mayor has formally urged the Queensland state government to seriously consider implementing this age-based camping restriction in unfenced areas of the island. He highlighted the practical challenges of current safety advice, noting that "the government advice is that at all times children should be in arm's length of their parents or caregivers while they're over there, which does not make for a great camping experience."
Broader Context of Island Safety
While addressing the dingo concerns, Seymour provided important context about overall safety on K'gari. He noted that other hazards have historically posed greater risks to visitors than dingo encounters. These include vehicular accidents, drowning incidents, and shark attacks. Significantly, there have been no confirmed fatalities directly attributed to dingoes on the island since 2001.
The investigation into Piper James' death continues, with autopsy results remaining inconclusive at this stage. Authorities have not yet determined whether the teenager drowned or was attacked by dingoes, adding complexity to the ongoing safety discussions.
Mayor Seymour concluded with a broader philosophical perspective on wilderness preservation, stating, "We need, as an Australian society, to have wildernesses where people can immerse themselves in nature. And with that comes risks." His proposal represents an attempt to balance these inherent wilderness risks with practical safety measures for vulnerable visitors.
