By JOLENE OGLE
THERE’S no excuse for using public parks as a toilet, according to Noosa MP Glen Elmes, who says it simply amounts to bad behaviour and laziness.
Mr Elmes’ comments came after Noosa Today last week reported one family’s disgust when they witnessed three travellers getting off their hired campervan at Tinbeerwah Park to use the park as their bathroom.
Mr Elmes said the poor behaviour came down to convenience and laziness.
“If you drive around Noosa, within two minutes you will find a public toilet,” he said.
“There’s no excuse.”
As for reports of campervans setting up residence in suburban streets, sometimes for days on end, Mr Elmes said there were plenty of camping options available to visitors.
“There’s no excuse for cluttering up public car parks and streets,” Mr Elmes said.
“There are camping sites, and in Eumundi and Cooroy there are free overnight RV stops with amenities for people to use.”
A Noosa Council spokesperson said most visitors who hired camping vehicles did the right thing, but council needed effective power to “deal with those responsible for anti-social behaviour and leaving a mess for others to clean up”.
“Council would like to see changes to legislation to have offences tied to the vehicle, rather than the driver,” the spokesperson said.
“This would mean that the hire vehicle’s owner is held accountable as occurs with some traffic offences, and can debit the customer’s credit card for the fine.
“This would not only encourage campervan hire companies to better educate their customers on local laws, but also ensure the hirers of these vehicles realise they must abide by the law or face a penalty.”
