Remember to camp away from large trees

Do you ever camp under trees? The cool shade may provide respite from the summer heat but trees and limbs can fall unpredictably. Gum trees are particularly prone to dropping large branches without warning. The safest place to camp or picnic is away from large trees. This large tree limb (pictured) fell into the Namoi River near Cohen’s Bridge recently, blocking much of the access for watercraft users. It also highlighted the hazards posed to Gunnedah’s now defunct Australia Day river raft race. The event has not been held for several years, in part due to unsafe river entry and exit points for raft participants as well as submerged debris in the water.