Noosa Council on Monday adopted “a zero-tolerance approach to illegal camping“ in response to growing community frustration.
It follows an “education-first approach“ in January.
Council’s local laws manager Paul Kirkley said after efforts were made to make campers aware that camping on streets and in carparks, particularly at Noosa Spit, was illegal, it was now time for a hardline approach as travellers continued 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 carparks,“ he said.
“It’s often not just rubbish they’re leaving behind. Frequently they’re using our parks and gardens as toilets.“
On Monday evening the Noosa Spit car park was filled with cars, many camper vans, while people socialised, swam, walked dogs, shared meals and watched the sun set.
The ambience was friendly and welcoming as overseas visitors mixed with locals.
No one Noosa Today asked said they planned to sleep the night in the car park although some visitors said the site was listed on camping apps.
One Noosa couple, who often visit to catch up with friends and enjoy the atmosphere, said the area was a regular meeting spot for people working in the hospitality industry as well as backpackers.
They blamed weekend P-plate drivers for leaving a mess behind them which they said backpackers often cleaned up.
Council’s crack down this week comes after Noosa Today received two letters from residents complaining of illegal campers in Noosa Woods, but with differing views of council’s response to the situation.
Noosa Heads resident John Webb described how his family were walking along the footpath abeam the public carpark at the Noosa river mouth on the morning of 1 March when his young son “went a couple of metres into the bush to retrieve a ball“ and “emerged a few seconds later with his thong and foot covered in fresh human excrement“.
“While we attempted to remove the filth, my wife was physically sick and my four-year-old hysterical,“ he said.
“Among the 10 or so private campervans parked up, at least three had not moved for four or more days. The owner of one, who’d witnessed our distress, commented that such incidents would continue to occur as council locked the public toilets in Noosa Woods at night.
“When I pointed to the sign above his head that stated “No camping, fines apply”, he just laughed and walked off. I was left speechless“.
Mr Webb admitted illegal camping in Noosa’s public carparks was not new but blamed a recent explosion in numbers on “Council’s apparent zero appetite to enforce the no camping policy and the use by campers of social media and other websites that specialise in promulgating the location of free camping areas in top tourist destinations in all corners of the globe“.
In a separate letter, Peter Eglen of Peregian Beach praised council’s swift response after his submission to council of a Snap, Send, Solve notification “of illegal campers using our public car parks (in this instance when a camper blatantly used the bush around the first car park in the Woods as his own latrine)“.
“[Council] called to inform me that they have re-initiated a team of people to deal with the unsavoury characters who wish to visit our beautiful region but then abuse it in the most disgusting way,“ Mr Eglen said.
“I was so pleased to hear how the council workers are very serious in solving this rising issue of illegal campers spoiling our region by imposing fines on those individuals.“
Mayor Clare Stewart said officers were 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 were 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.
“With no move on powers, it is challenging for compliance officers to stop the illegal overnight camping.
“It’s important that the community understands 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.”
“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.
“Education is a key part of what we do by letting them know about our wonderful caravan parks and making them aware that it is illegal to stay overnight.“
Ms Contini said when resourcing allowed, compliance officers would visit high profile sites in the afternoons to let campers know it was illegal to stay overnight and provide them with an informative fact sheet.
“Our staff juggle a range of compliance issues, such as dog attacks, parking, dogs off leash and many more, so we have to monitor a lot across the shire,” she said.
