Thank you for your recent feedback. We have been in touch with the relevant Department regarding enquires around horse manure and related matters and we have been provided the following points of relevance on the matter:

• Due to the vast expanse of protected area estate and the numerous multi-use trail networks across protected areas, it is impractical for Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) to monitor the behaviour of individual horse-riders at specific locations.
• QPWS relies on the integrity of recreational horse-riders to manage themselves and their horse/s so as to minimise impacts on the natural environment.
• A ‘Code of Conduct’ Information Sheet addressing potential impacts of recreational horse riding on protected areas is available here.

• The ‘code’ provides accepted best practice guidelines for recreational users on how to minimise their impacts whilst riding horses on estate.
• In relation to managing the spread of weeds the code encourages horse riders to :
o provide weed-free, good quality, processed feed to horses at least 48 hours prior to entering a forest reserve or protected area (e.g. clean chaff, pellets, cracked rolled or steamed grains, weed free lucerne).
o feed horses with a nose bag while in a forest reserve or protected area and clean up any spills
• Additionally an Operational Policy is available to provide consistent application of the management of horse riding activities on National Parks and other protected areas.
• The aim of the policy is to reduce/minimise the introduction and spreading of noxious and/or exotic plants and impacts to waterways and water quality.
• Commercial horse riding enterprises are required to remove manure as a condition of operation of their business.
• Complaints in relation to horses (or horse manure) in areas where they are permitted are very few and infrequent.
• As part of an annual pest management program QPWS operations staff monitor and treat invasive species (including weeds) in the context of priorities relating to the broader operational program and funding.

COMMENTS

Thank you for the info, and since I raised this issue there seems to have been a reduction in droppings on North Shore, although the super high tides may be the reason? Anyway, I shall report any escalation to QPWS.

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You’re welcome Sue
@pippilady

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Surely if people are required to pick up after their dogs, horse owners should too, piles of horse poo marring the beach and water and lining the high tide mark on the beach at present!

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5:29pm

Hi Susan. Brett here from Sandy’s office. Tks for your comment which we will pass onto Sandy. If you have any general items it would be great if you can put them in the General Chat channel, that will be much appreciated. Hot Topics & Information is usually where we will post current information from our end here at the office. By all means leave something in General Chat if you need to and we will get back to you in due course as this site is usually monitored during business hours. Or send us an email at noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and we can log it the system as it is more effective to follow up that way considering the number of posts and messages we get on social media. Many thanks, Brett
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11:09am

Morning Sue! Any of the licensed ride operators know to ensure their is no manure left, however it may be that individuals are not doing so. I will send through to QPWS to see what regs are around this.

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12:53am

Thanks Sandy, surely there are some rules. And it is the licensed operators taking small groups up and down the beach regularly who are the main culprits!
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11:58am

Hi Sue

Brett here from Sandy’s office. We have been in contact with the Department and received information that we have posted at the site. Many thanks again for your enquiry and if you see any further issues, please feel free to contact QPWS or our office.