SEVEN people have been caught on camera doing burnouts in remote parts of the ACT’s bushland and fined through a joint investigation by police and ACT park rangers.

ACT Parks and Conservation Service regional operations manager Brett McNamara says the seven drivers caused “significant environmental damage to areas of the Cotter River Catchment”.

“Rangers noticed that sections of the grass verge on Brindabella Road had been torn up by drivers doing ‘circle work’ with their vehicles,” Mr McNamara said. “We set surveillance cameras up in response to this, which showed more vehicles damaging the area.”

“ACT Policing were provided with the video footage, and were able to successfully identify the drivers and issue them with infringement notices.

“We will continue to put measures in place to catch culprits who deface our parks and reserves, in order to protect these spaces for all Canberrans to enjoy.”

Mr McNamara said rangers and the Rural Patrol police officers had established a productive working relationship over many years.

“As a result of our partnership with the Rural Patrol, ACT Policing has issued a number of infringement notices in recent years to offenders detected in and around Canberra’s parks and reserves.

“Police action will continue to send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated,” Mr McNamara said.

Vandalism in any of Canberra’s parks and reserves can be reported to Canberra Connect on 13 22 81