As the popularity of caravanning and camping goes up … along with van park fees … there has been an almost inevitable surge in the amount of illegal camping taking place.
While the ‘problem’ is a familiar one to many coastal communities during peak season, it is increasingly becoming a winter phenomenon, too.
And it leaves councils facing a difficult decision about how to deal with the issue, particularly in a time when homelessness is a growing issue.
In Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the council has adopted a pretty hard line.
For example, in a recent weekend enforcement blitz targeting major hotspots in the area, more than 30 illegal campers received $322 fines.
Hefty fines were issued to more than 30 campers. PIC: Noosa Council
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said Council’s local laws officers and Queensland Police attended Noosa Spit, Noosa Junction and Noosa National Park as part of the joint agency operation.
“Residents were understandably frustrated with our streets, parks and gardens being used as campgrounds and toilets,” he said. “Our team is back working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to address illegal camping and provide referrals and support for those who are genuinely homeless.”
Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said information from the community about where illegal campers were congregating had helped guide the weekend blitz.
“While we undertake patrols all over the shire, the weekend’s joint operation with QPS concentrated on the major problem areas of Noosa Spit, Noosa National Park and Lanyana Way at Noosa Junction,” he said. “Recently most of the complaints we’ve received about illegal camping have been in relation to these locations,” he said.
Mr MacGillivray said officers issued 31 $322 infringement notices.
“We will continue to conduct joint operations with Queensland Police targeting problem areas in addition to our own ongoing patrols across the shire,” he said.
Mr MacGillivray said Council was aware of other problem areas across the shire including along the eastern beaches and near the Noosa River, which upcoming enforcement efforts will target – both Council’s regular patrols and jointly with QPS.
“We have a number of purpose-built campgrounds across the shire with current capacity to accommodate campervans, where travellers can park overnight and access barbecues, rubbish bins, toilet and shower facilities,” he said. “Our carparks and streets were never intended for use as camping areas … campervan travellers planning to stay overnight on Noosa’s streets and carparks are on notice to expect a $322 fine, which is much more than they’d pay for a night at one of our campgrounds.”
Mr MacGillivray said some people camping in vehicles were not travellers, but local people left homeless by the recent housing crisis and other challenging circumstances.
“In these instances, our staff exercise compassion and wherever possible our staff will assist with referrals to state support services that may be able to provide temporary accommodation and other support.”
Mayor Wilkie said Council took the community’s concerns about illegal camping very seriously and other measures to help tackle the issues, including the introduction of further signage, plus harsher fines were among future measures being considered.
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What the Mayor failed to point out was the fact that the Sunshine Coast Council is the most greedy council on the eastern side of Australia. Their park fees have made it impossible for many to now enjoy a coastal holiday and on top of their outrageous fees they are charging for dogs in way overpriced council parks. councils once encouraged families to enjoy a beachside holiday with reasonable charges knowing that families would spend money in the local community. Not any more, it’s now an attitude of Rob them anyway we can and provide little in exchange.
Good on the council, illegal campers should always be punished.
This sets an excellent example for all shires IMO.
Motorhomes are the worst offenders followed closely by backpackers.
We’ve never felt the need to camp illegally in our many decades of camping.