A Queensland coastal community has decided to abandon its softly-softly approach and crack down hard on illegal campers.
Noosa Council had adopted an education-first approach in an effort to make campers aware that camping on streets and in car parks in the Sunshine Coast tourist mecca, particularly at Noosa Spit, was illegal.
However, Local Laws Manager Paul Kirkley says it’s now time for a hardline approach as travellers continue to ignore the rules, often leaving a mess in their wake.
“The community is becoming tired of the pressure illegal campers are putting on our streets and car parks,” he said. “It’s often not just rubbish they’re leaving behind, frequently they’re using our parks and gardens as toilets.”
Community frustration with Noosa’s illegal camping problem continues to escalate. PIC: Benny Taylor / Noosa Council
Mayor Clare Stewart said the officers are fed up with illegal campers ignoring the warnings.
“I have had discussions with residents and understand their concerns, and we share those concerns and our staff are doing all they can to curb the illegal activity,” she said.
In 2022, officers issued 212 fines for illegal camping and the issue accounted for about a third of the total complaints relating to Local Laws in Noosa.
“We have already issued over 50 fines in the first two months this year,” Mr Kirkley said. “We have limited powers to move people on but given the community’s growing impatience and the health risks associated with illegal camping, we are starting to issue more fines on the spot.”
Community Services Director Kerri Contini said compliance officers are doing their best to control illegal campers.
“Illegal camping is a significant problem in many coastal areas across Queensland and it’s no different in Noosa,” she said. “With no move-on powers, it is challenging for compliance officers to stop the illegal overnight camping.”
She stressed that it was important that the community understood that someone staying in an area during the day is not considered illegal camping.
“However, under the Local Law, it’s an offence to stay, camp or sleep overnight in a vehicle or other mobile accommodation, tent or sleeping bag,” Ms Contini said. “Part of our plan is to continue the early morning patrols, particularly in the Noosa Spit area and our staff will have no hesitation issuing fines of $287 to those ignoring the advice.”
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Caravan park owners can’t stand anyone camping and not paying them $40. So the buddy up with councils to make sure there are no other low cost campsites with in 100km.
National Parks can easily provide low cost camping and a simple toilet block for $10 or less, remote country towns can provide low cost camping at showgrounds, riverside parks or forrest reserves, but some city councils provide nothing.
Disappointing as some of these wealthy seaside towns are crying out for workers for their town but no one can work out a solution…
The problem with providing low cost/free camps is that a lot of the people that use these areas treat them like a rubbish tip. It’s no wonder that the councils are removing these facilities as it cost more to maintain them than they earn. Also a lot of these places are also being used by the homeless as they have no other choice. The problem is alot more complex than just putting in some basic facilities and an honor box.
Campervan, it is plain to see you are part of the problem and not part of the solution. If you want to free camp, go out into the Qld bush, dig yourself a hole & enjoy your free camp.
Those who are self contained go by the policy of ‘leave no trace behind ‘ on leaving . Everyone is put in the one basket because of the grubs who break the rules . Not all campers are grubs it’s totally unnecessary to think they are . Not that we stop overnight in a non camping area much as we try to be off the road by 4 pm in a caravan park , but it does happen. Our RV is totally self contained. When we leave nothing is left behind at all not a trace. And many of us belong to CWCA where we must be self contained to be a member. Just info for you no argument here. I do understand the problem . I don’t like being put into the campers are all lousy people basket . It’s really discriminatory thinking.
Grubs come in all shapes and sizes !!!
Please tell me any where near Noosa where you can get a caravan park site for $40. More like double that.
NOT ENOUGH CARAVAN PARKS, NO MORE COMPETITION.
Yes the Councils need to realise that since Covid people want to travel here which helps all the small country towns, I can’t afford to pay big money to camp somewear but people need to be respectfull and clean up after themselves
Are those that are staying overnight campers or homeless? Due to the current situation throughout the country at the moment many are sleeping in they’re vehicles due to the cost or lack of rentals.
Yeh right & just a coincidence that it’s at Noosa …
That’s right Noosa is only for the rich
Some cheap labour must make the fancy coffee for the Noosa well-heeled. How can the barista afford a house to live in Noosa on their wages?
I feel sorry for the residents and am wondering how those campers would feel if caravans pulled up continuously out side their home and stayed a night or two. The council has every right to fine them and so they should, after all is it too difficult to budget for caravan parks. Yes you may need to do a month trip instead of six to eight weeks, but if that’s what it takes that’s what we all need to do. The old saying being, cut your cloth accordingly.
Yes I agree with what you say,we do alot of free camping as pension doesn’t allow us caravan parks every night.. simple solution,if can’t afford caravan park don’t go to Noosa,bypass to RV friendly towns.
I could go on about our local council area, a dozen toilet blocks in our small area, which the ratepayers maintain at a few million a year. No real benefit from the blow-ins. But then I use toilet blocks in other council areas. Swings & roundabouts. Better than white roses everywhere.
And what is the problem with a caravan pulling up outside your house? It’s just another vehicle.
Might be a problem for you if the occupants treat your front garden as their toilet. These illegals are the reason why the occasional caravan CAN’T pull up for the night in any street.
Thats dead right they dont own the street these rich people seem to think there rights are far more superior than us meer mortals
walk around /drive round thinking there a…dont stink better than us less fortunate ones money wise that they have the right to voice an rule where we holiday makers can camp.. walk.. an have fun
NO ONE owns the land it belongs to mother nature who gives anyone the right to decide if i can or cannot park on the street im a tax payer my right to sleep on a bitumen street for a night cause i pay for it too
bulldust politely
Well said
Last sentence might be exactly why people are camping as such…where do you live if cannot afford rentals..or fridge for food etc…at the same time, l get so deeply disappointed people ,not just some of the ones camping leave all sorts of rubbish and disturbances behind…you know, medieval times of just chucking the crap out the window to the streets…out of sight out of mind until you have to walk thru it to go about yout daily life…yes it’s true for all who live on this still beautiful planet…every form of life is being subjected to waste and rubbish and toxins …in their face, in their space they might call home…think about it…and now it is right to your door..in your / our faces…what are we going to do about it..NO LONGER OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND..SEE IT EVERYWHERE..WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO…
Every one of us is a perpetrator of varying degrees…where lies the responsibility…it’s not good enough just to point the finger anymore…we need to open to the messages that are now right in front of us
Daisy…A month holiday instead of six to eight weeks…I haven’t had a holiday in five years…yet at 62 years old I have been homeless going on ten months…I also work for the Public Service earning ,$1000 a week…I was living in a women’s shelter for a year in 2021and I have been unable to find anywhere to rent since…it’s gut wrenching…
The way you think Daisy makes me feel like I’m not even trying…
Why doesn’t council fine those leaving the rubbish and leave those who are self contained alone. Self contained campers who do not leave a trace of being there should not be fined for stopping a night. These people are usually good honest campers who know the rules and will spend money in the community , purchasing fuel, coffees, groceries and a few meals in the area. I get the need to find those who are not doing the right thing. A security camera capturing number plates and rubbish dumping would be a very good way to catch those who will not abide by ‘leave no trace behind’ thinking . Most people who do pull over need a break , some need a sleep for a few hours , and some cannot afford a caravan park every night on a pension. Your ranger could go around and collect a $20 fee for the night for self contained and fine those campers who are not , that way you would get more revenue for council and money spent in the community . Let’s face it in these difficult times let’s use some lateral thinking. Noosa is not a very easy place to find parking for campers so why not open up a camping area and provide for these people through the council as many other shores do, you’re behind the times Noosa … self contained camping is not the problem.
I totally agree.
They bring”new money” into the town too. Very short sighted are the council’s !
It’s time Australia joined New Zealand, all camping rigs to have a toilet / shower with black and gray water tanks, the days of a van with just a mattress in the back are a thing of the past.
The business modal of caravan parks are out of date, modern caravans/motorhomes don’t need all the bells and whistles of a caravan park all that is needed is just a place to park up a couple of days.
so the councils have a job to provide adequate areas, a couple stoping in any town spends at least $500 a week in town on food/fuel/entertainment so if people can not stop in a town the money drives on.
Erick please loan me $100’000 so I can buy one of those rigs my pension doesn’t quite cover it we all have a right to travel some by choice others not
Not all of us travellers want to tow a caravan. I’m a very happy, self-contained car camper and proud of my set up.
Noosa will not be on my itinerary.
Hmm good old Noooooosa. (with head tilted back and nose in the air) Nooooosa with its Hastings street lined with Mercedes and BMW’s, transporting the fake beautiful people in their white jeans and gold chains to all the fancy restaurants and accommodation, have wrecked Noosa just like where Byron Bay is headed. The haves,(as they look down their noses at anybody whose vehicle and lifestyle doesn’t meet with their approval), can’t stand the have nots to have anything for free. And by the way I am one of the haves. Give me the have nots for company any day, at least they are real.
In America you can overnight free camp in Walmart car parks. Might be a solution here.
Totally agree. Bunnings, Woolies, Coles car parks are empty every night. If you’re self contained, you should be allowed to park in these places. It’s added security for the business and the traveler.
I agree whole heartedly. Having a person camped at night in a shopping center car park gives an element of security for the shop owners.
still comes down to rubbish and I have seen some “entitled”Caravan/motor home drivers empty the cassette out in the bush so we come in all sorts
Totally agree. If you’re fully self contained, it’s added security for both the traveler and the businesses whose car parks are empty every night, like Bunnings, Woolies, Coles and big shopping centres.
Solution is simple. If you have no powers to move them on, then wheel clamp them and tow the van to a holding yard.
Good luck with TOWING a wheel clamped caravan
Having spent many decades travelling this country I find the attitude of many councils outrageous, particularly coastal councils in what are regarded by some, not me however, as desirable stopovers. Councils for to long have had an ongoing affair with caravan parks, often owned by councillors or their mates, they have reduced the amount of actual camping spots in their parks, replacing them with cabins, cutting out the income of hotels and motels in their area,, and yet have the gall to whinge about free campers reducing the van parks income. Many small country towns have found ways to provide the basics for low income, or even people who don’t like the regimentation of van parks, to enjoy the area at reasonable cost. This is what caravan parks were originally designed to do. Lack of toilet facilities can be a problem but many small councils seem to be able to provide these amenities, and also garbage bins which now seem to be becoming an endangered species, even right in towns which has a garbage service.. surely these are basic services which communities should provide to the travelling public if they want the travelling public to patronise the town businesses. The cost to councils for these facilities is relatively small in the scheme of things compared to the potential gains to town businesses other than the caravan parks. It’s what is called greed, and it has become endemic in todays world, and especially so in the more affluent coastal tourist areas. Most people don’t mind paying a reasonable fee to camp but $50 to $70 a night is ridiculous. I can easily afford these prices but hate being gouged by one business, I prefer to spread the money around town to small businesses rather than support the movers and shakers.
Lee you’ve said it all. Many Councils are in bed with Van Park conglomerates. Oz used to be a free country but sadly it seems now only for the well healed. Perhaps Councils need to register the driveways of all the holiday homes who spend less than a couple of months per year in residence . These folk contribute lttle to community either socially or monetary and been the death of some towns. Let cash spending campers stay in these driveways.
Spot on mate
I Live and travel through France along with Spain and Portugal frequently, and the approach here is to provide more facilities with frequent patrols and if that fails then it’s a hefty fine and I mean hefty, running into thousands of Euros and even confiscated vans in some case. It’s always the same (the minority spoil it for the majority).
Enjoy your travels wherever you are.
We are no longer spring chickens. We try to plan every day of the itinery so as to be at a caravan park or destination by a certain time well before dusk. But you can only plan your life so far, and stuff happens (exploding gearboxs, overheating, flat tyres, getting lost ……). We are a totally self contained 10 tonne RV but I don’t like driving at night. When stuff happens, sometimes its not possible to make the caravan park or intended destination in time, so the safer option can be to pull over somewhere out of the way and rest for the night. Safety on the roads should be the primary concern. I know that this article is about those few yobbo campers who are too mean to pay park fees and who rubbish the place and who ruin things for those that do the right thing, but just thought I’d share my perspective on why some people might need to stop overnight not at a caravan park etc. So far we have not needed to park illegally, but we don’t get out much.
Yes that is true
I agree if there is a Health issue due to unsanitary actions by ( dare I say a Few who spoil if for all ) Campers then take the necessary action but, I ask in the very popular Beach side areas of the QLD East Coast where the Young { and I would say it is isially only the a young Surfer people who are using the a Areas for camping ] where are they to go for an Over Night Stay as I am sure most Caravan Parks are either Booked Out or too Expensive, for most young people out for the weekeknd enjoying their Healthy Sport of Surfing. I do not Know the answer but some Low cost form of Space with at Least Composting Toilets, may be the Answer at a small Camp FEE [ SAY A DEPOSIT athat if area is left CLEAN then it is refuinded, if Not Left Clean NO REFUND. !!!.
I agree, we do want to encourage young people to travel and enjoy our scenic spots, regardless of whether they are backpackers or young aussies. They cannot afford big rigs, and want to be near public spaces.
A dedicated area, with facilities, paid or unpaid, is essential. They do spend their money in businesses nearby, maybe more than grey nomads. Let’s not be soil sports and let them have their fun (we did too – remember Kombi vans?) BUT if we provide something, make it clear that it is their peer responsibility to keep it clean. Eg “This is your space, keep it clean or you will lose it”
Put the onus on them to preserve it.
And also if we see it being abused we can suggest in the nicest way, that they could clean up their mess. Sure you might get some abuse occasionally but it puts the thought in their heads and someone in the group might do the right thing.
Let’s give them a break.
I have heard this story many times. Insert your town here” “, let us start with Byron bay and port Douglas..Same story different place. You would think Australia has no land left…
What a joke the council find them they don’t have an address they leave the country what happens with the fine
So sad we have lost our humanity, so many people have lost their homes through floods and fires and now their rentals are so high and now unaffordable. These circumstances can happen to anyone!! What would these rich whingers do if we had a war and they had to resort to a tent or vehicle to survive. Caravan parks have got greedy so councils need to step up, provide legal areas with showers toilets and rubbish tins, charge a nightly fee and get some money out of it, fine heavily if people litter or destroy the environment.
I have a fully self contained motorhome that is 6 metres long but pay the same in most caravan parks as a caravan and a vehicle which can be up to 17.5 metres long. I can park in most standard car park spaces. If parks had cheaper spots for rv,s that take up less room more people might use them. Some Councils have overnight camping areas at low cost or free for short stays but they quickly fill up with large rv,s
There is a free camping area with toilets and a bin, just north of the Gunalda turnoff on the Bruce Highway. The maximum stay is 2 nights. They also run the Driver Reviver there.
In 20+ years of regularly stopping at this location, I have never witnessed this place left dirty or littered in any way and it is frequently utilised.
Provide free camping areas and crack down hard on the grubs that abuse the privilege. Don’t punish the responsible majority by simply lumping them all together.
Vans might not like caravan parks, but important to recognise they do bring significant economic benefits to local businesses.
Instead of banning or cracking down in would be smarter to provide free and cheap facilities then aggressively fine those who abuse them.
Make international vanners pay a bond to access these facilities nationally, so they can’t rack up fines and skip the country.
Like it or not van life is here to stay and caravan parks don’t adequately provide for their wants and needs.
The solution isn’t in bans.
We are long time campers with a family and now as grey nomads. In our experience the problem campers mostly seem to be overseas tourists and backpackers as they always want to go and see/stay at the most popular well known spots on the cheap. Homeless locals/Aussies would know the most expensive areas and avoid them I think. Why can’t the council use their CCTV cameras to issue fines via the registration plates of the vehicles? Even if they are hired campervans like Wicked, the fine can be deducted from the bond when they return the vehicle. Hire companies could warn customers of this when they book the vehicles plus add warning signage in all parking areas. The word would soon spread that they can’t overstay or litter or they will be paying the price.
Just travelled nearly 15000 klms around Australia and found most caravan parks expensive, the free camps on the Nullarbor were generally trashed, the same went were ever we travelled. But also there were a lot of backwater towns that were only to glad to have us,mostly free, some minimal fees so we patronised these places. They got our fuel groceries and to a degree entertainment money. So if I could give some advice, do your homework avoid the greedy, patronise those that are only to glad to have you.
So many new vans sold. Where are the new Caravan Parks? Now the parks are made for Cabins the new Cash grab. These caravan spots are being eaten up by new Cabins. More money!
So when you buy a new van just park it in your driveway because getting a site in a caravan park is like winning the lottery. You need to book the spot 12 months ahead and know where you are going to stop along your ‘adventure’ well in advance. It’s a nightmare, when you can get a site you have it maybe 2 days and then you have to move on ready or not. And check out the new pricing WOW, $50, $60, $70 a night? For what? WaterParks, Slides, games room. I guess a site on or near a beach seems not enough anymore.
Perhaps providing better facilities at better rates and you might stop the problem!
You are not on your own we are travelling Tasmania and it’s no different, there are some beautiful places getting spoil by rubbish left behind, the tourist attractions when the car parks empty they think it is there right to leave tissues and rubbish before they drive off, another place we stopped to look at the beach and the people beside us decided to empty there weeks supply of rubbish into the only council bin there at least it made it to the bin, it’s beyond education to try and teach them , fines don’t stop them because they don’t bloody well pay them.
I have travelled this country of ours both when young and older and have seen alot of change. There used to be Rest Areas on the outskirts of many of the towns, or an area where truckies have pulled over many times and made it a safe place to stop. These areas are not as plentiful as they once were. So with what areas we have left, how about everybody self contained Rv’s or not, bend your backs and pick up some rubbish eventually there will be none. Regarding the coast what is there to say GREED is the MOTIVATOR of Council and Parks
We are full time travellers and totally support and agree with the councils approach. We are appauled at the disgraceful mess left in these areas all over Australia and the fact few locals and travellers alike can even obtain a car park to visit these areas. Hope the Maroochy shire takes note of this and move on the bludgers that have been camped out in prime land for two and three years. These people are not homeless when they are living in 80k motorhomes. Well done council.