More than 50 illegal campers have received $322 fines in a Noosa Council blitz targeting major hotspots through July.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said council officers and Queensland Police attended Noosa Spit, Noosa Junction, Noosa National Park and Peregian Beach as part of the joint agency operation.
The operation targeted travellers illegally camping in vans on Noosa’s streets as well as eastern beaches hotspots, including Victory Park at Peregian Beach, where residents are reporting large numbers of campers gathering.
The blitz also targeted Beach Access 50 at Peregian Beach and Tingira Crescent at Sunrise Beach.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said residents were understandably frustrated with Noosa streets, parks and gardens being used as campgrounds and toilets.
‘Council takes community concerns about illegal camping very seriously. Other measures, including new signage, plus harsher fines are among future measures being considered.’
Council will also expand the 10pm-4am no-parking signage trial at Noosa Spit into other areas to curb illegal camping, including Victory Park and Beach Access 50 at Peregian Beach.
Noosa Council and Queensland Police are cracking down on illegal campers. PHOTO: supplied by Noosa Council
Noosa Council Development and Regulation Director, Richard MacGillivray, said council was working on several fronts to curb illegal camping in response to community complaints.
‘We are working with camping website providers and social media platforms to ensure these forums only circulate accurate information about where travellers can lawfully park overnight in Noosa.’
Homeless not fined
He said council did not punish people camping illegally because they were homeless.
‘There are occasions where our staff come across local people who are genuinely homeless and living in their cars because they have no other option,’ Mr MacGillivray said.
‘Of course we don’t fine people in this situation. We link them with local support agencies who can offer them safe accommodation and other assistance.
‘It’s the illegal campers seeking a cheap holiday and who think it’s ok to leave a mess, disrespect our environment and monopolise our parking areas for long periods that we are targeting.
Campgrounds available
‘Our shire offers a range of campgrounds for travellers. They are purpose built for campervans, offering powered sites, cooking facilities and importantly toilet and bathrooms facilities. It’s at these facilities travellers should be parking up and camping overnight, not our streets.’
‘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 council would pursue fines issued to domestic and international travellers.
‘International visitors aren’t exempt from paying the fines. If they don’t pay, there are means of pursuing that debt through the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) and they can be flagged with immigration as they attempt to leave or re-enter the country.’
