The growing tension between travellers camping illegally on Queensland’s Magnetic Island and local residents is apparently threatening to boil over.
The Townsville Bulletin reports that seven campervans which were parked by the beach had their tyres slashed by vandals at Horseshoe Bay on Sunday.
Visiting hospitality worker Daniel, who is travelling the country in his van, told the newspaper that it was a ‘cowardly’ act.
“Why so much hate? We are just trying to make a living on an island with barely any long-term accommodation options,” he said. “Tourists and business owners will be the ones struggling here when we all leave to a friendlier place.”
Several tyres were sashes as tensions rise. PIC: Pixabay
He said after posting pictures of the vandalised vans on social media, they received an outpouring of support from locals who wanted to help.
The Townsville Bulletin reports that this latest drama follows on from an incident earlier this month in which a local 71-year-old man was allegedly stabbed by a disgruntled camper. Robert Rowan claims the problem started when he and his wife attempted to speak with some people in campervans parked in a carpark.
Frustrated locals say a shortage of affordable rentals and free camping options on Maggie has forced many visiting backpackers to turn prime waterfront into ‘unauthorised caravan parks’.
Mr Rowan has since called on Townsville City Council to do more to address a lack of designated camping spots in the tourist hot spot.
However, a spokeswoman from Townsville council told the Bulletin that it didn’t have any plans to establish any council-run camping grounds on Magnetic Island.
“Council’s local law officers work to enforce local laws across more than 3700sq km in Townsville, including patrols on Magnetic Island,” she said. “The work that local law officers do is greatly helped by the community reporting relevant issues to council, including issues like illegal camping.”
She said members of the public were not advised to directly approach groups of illegal campers.
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It’s a no brainer really, council has to sort it, if they don’t, well I’d be asking them a lot of questions. They can call in QPS if they really need to.
QPS recently issues tickets to a number of bans parked illegally on the Horseshoe Bay Front.
The residents of Magnetic Island are rude and disgusting. They think the island is theirs, and really don’t want ANY visitors. The failures of the island are solely the cause of the the residents, principally the elderly, entitled residents. I live in Townsville and have no interest in visiting.
The councils of tourist spots should decide whether they want the benefit of income from visitors or whether they want total peace and quiet. If it is the former, build camping facilities. If you don’t want us, put up a sign and we’ll drive straight past. I don’t want to visit where I’m not welcome.
Townsville has gained its own out of control law & order problem via complacency of the authorities. Perhaps the best option is for the local media to be more diligent with reporting. It is entirely possible that the tyre slashing may; just may be: the work of vandals? Be wary of blaming the locals or the caravaners. In many cases travelers are FORCED to “break a by law” — which are not lawful anyway — to avoid having to park in even more dangerous situations.
SO — “local govt’ needs to be much more sensible before they drive away substantial income from us. Thank you