Thank goodness for our rangers!

While many people get to relax over summer on the south coast, Eurobodalla Shire Council's rangers are busier than ever making sure our community and environment are safe. During the peak tourist season these quiet achievers are attending to dog attack and animal complaints, ensuring the traffic flows in our towns and monitoring illegal camping and dumping in our natural areas.

This year council's Environmental Services Manager, Deb Lenson, is happy to report that there have only been a few incidents of dog attacks over the last few weeks. "It has been great to see overall that our community and visitors are looking after their pets and they are not having a negative impact on others," said Ms Lenson.

Since Christmas, she says the rangers have attended to some barking dog complaints, stray animals and dogs on beaches issues and looked after 38 animals at the pound. "Fortunately, due to microchipping and registration, we have been able to give 27 pets back to their owners. We were also able to sell two to good homes," Ms Lenson said.   

She says traffic duties for the rangers over summer have been all about keeping the parking spaces turning over so everyone can access local businesses and services. "The rangers have also been making sure that vehicles are parked safely, not obstructing access ways and drivers who don't have disabled permits are not using the parking spots designated for people with disabilities."

Ms Lenson says there have been several cases of people camping in spots they shouldn't this year. "Camping illegally can have an impact on the public and environmental health of an area and rangers have been asking campers to move on to spots that are more suitable," Ms Lenson said.   

The rangers have also attended nine illegal dumping incidents over the last month. With a lot of help from residents and visitors who have been really conscientious in sharing information about dumpers since the beginning of the Southern Councils Group's Illegal Dumping Program, they have been able to identify some of the dumpers and organise clean-ups.

Ms Lenson says since 16 December, the rangers have handled approximately 700 telephone calls and that the large volume reflects the concerns and needs of a population that triples over summer.  

"Eurobodalla Shire Council rangers are there to help residents and visitors and to protect our community and environment," Ms Lenson said. "So next time you see one, say 'G'day' and 'Thanks'. It's good to remember that they are only doing their job which is to make sure everything is working well in our community and that everyone is following local and state rules and regulations," Ms Lenson said.