Simpson Desert closed this summer
ABC 720 Perth (Perth), Mornings, 14/11/2008 10:26am
Trevor Naismith, Director, Department of Regional Operations SA, discusses the closure of the Simpson Desert. The desert will be closed for the first time this summer because of the danger posed by extreme temperatures. The Department of Environment and Heritage in South Australia announced the decision this week. Naismith explains that in the past many conservation parks have been closed including those in the Simpson Desert in order to undertake feral animal control. The closure of the desert is a result of a risk assessment that department has been doing with the SA Police and other emergency service organisation to prevent further tragedies. In the past, numerous visitors from overseas who want to see the Australian Outback, hire themselves a four-wheel drive vehicle and set sail. Naismith adds that quite often these people are not well prepared for the extreme desert weather in the summer months. Over the past few years, a European tourist died near Lake Eyre. There was another case of a tourist who was stranded in the Outback, but the individual was located by cattle station staff. The tourist had to be flown out by the Royal Flying Doctors. Naismith recommends that people visit the Simpson Desert during the cooler months. The department is working closely with local tourism operators to ensure that no-one enters the desert during the closure. He adds that the department has staff who work at the Wichera National Park and who will keep a close eye on visitors. If a park ranger sees someone in the desert during the time of the closure, the individual will have to pay a fine.
Interviewee: Trevor Naismith, Director, Department of Regional Operations SA
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