THE Australian Sex Party has stepped up its push to have Alexandria Bay recognised as an official nudist beach, sending a submission to all Queensland MPs, as well as every local council, chamber of commerce and member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
The party’s submission claims the legalisation of A Bay as a nudist beach could bring in as much as $50 million to the local economy.
In their submission, the Australian Sex Party said naturism not only had profound socio-cultural and psychological benefits, it also “appears to be a substantial and lucrative niche market in tourism”, suggesting a nudist beach in Noosa could result in “$50 million or more”.
“Naturism is perfectly suited to Noosa and given European culture regarding nude beaches, these tourists will be particularly attracted to the existence of a nude beach at Alexandria Bay,” the submission said.
The submission predicts the 1.2km long stretch of A Bay could attract 200 naturists per day during the week and up to 500 people per weekend day, translating to 2000 naturists a week or 100,000 per year.
“Who would inject at least $40 million per annum into the Noosa Economy, assuming the average tourist spend, when in fact naturists are demonstrably more affluent and are likely to have both longer than average and more frequent stays,” the submission said.
“The Australian Sex Party estimates an immediate regional economic benefit of at least $50 million per annum achieved through (the) support for a simple legislative change.”
Australian Sex Party Queensland branch acting president Mark McGovern said the party was seeking to change a section of the Summary Offences Act that outlaws “wilful exposure” giving local councils the power to make certain areas exempt.
“Local councils are more familiar with their coastlines and more responsive to their communities than the State Government, and if the Act were to be amended would be encouraged by the Sex Party to provide such beaches so that they are accessible to all,” he said.
Mr McGovern said community support for clothing-optional beaches in Noosa exceeded 80 per cent of the local population.
The Sex Party’s submission has been sent to every Queensland Member of Parliament, every local council, every chamber of commerce and industry and every member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, and the party is hopeful of a positive outcome.
“The Queensland Branch of the Australian Sex Party looks forward to the ‘Smart State’ behaving as such,” Mr McGovern said.
