Council hits overnight campers with $322 fines in fresh crackdown at tourist spots
It comes as 31 campers copped fines in an 'enforcement blitz' by council and police in Queensland's Noosa over the weekend.
Illegal camping has been an ongoing issue in the area, with residents growing increasingly frustrated they cannot access their favourite beaches, parks and gardens because they are being "used as campgrounds and toilets," according to Noosa's Mayor Frank Wilkie.
Those who stay overnight at one of the several popular beachfront car parks are being warned they are now "on notice" with rangers knocking on windows.
Council's local law officers and Queensland Police visited Noosa Spit, Noosa Junction and Noosa National Park as part of the joint agency operation.
Wilkie said the community's concerns about illegal camping are being taken seriously and other measures are being considered including more signage, and harsher fines.
He added that the team intends on providing referrals and support to those who are "genuinely homeless".
A Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson told Yahoo News is that the role of police is to "assist Noosa Council during their engagements with campers to make sure all persons, including both campers and council employees, are kept safe."
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It's understood that information from the community about where illegal campers congregated 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," Noosa's Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said.
More beachfront areas and along the Noosa River will be targeted in upcoming enforcement efforts.
"Our carparks and streets were never intended for use as camping areas," MacGillivray said.
"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."
Those who have been left homeless by the housing crisis and other difficult circumstances will be met with "compassion" and will be assisted with support services.
"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," he said.
The issue of illegal beachfront camping is one impacting communities across the country, particularly places popular among travellers.
Council reporting app Snap Send Solve previously revealed to Yahoo there are thousands of reports of illegally parked RVs and caravans across Australia each year.
"These figures underscore a widespread issue across the country, particularly in urban areas where space is limited and pedestrian and road safety are critical," Danny Gorog, CEO of Snap Send Solve told Yahoo.
Councils nationwide have adopted different tactics in a bid to address the issue. While Noosa appears to prefer enforcement operations, the Town of Cambridge council in Perth came under fire after they attempted to deter the act at one of the most popular beaches in WA by turning off hot water in their public showers, a decision they have since reversed.
Fraser Coast Regional Council initially took a "compassionate approach" to genuine homelessness — but later cracked down after staff were allegedly assaulted while carrying out duties in the area.
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