By Jolene Ogle
AN EMAIL from a man who said he witnessed police hiding in the bushes on Thursday 3 November has sparked a furore as locals demand nudists be left alone at A-Bay.
In an email to local activist Robin Bristow, the man who had recently moved to Noosa from Victoria said he went to A-Bay in the morning and about 11am saw two plainclothes officers issuing tickets to people.
“After the officers finished their business they were hiding under trees and waiting for newcomers to the beach,” the man said.
“After people stripped off and walked down to the water, and by the time they came back up, the officers approached them and (gave) them tickets.”
The man said the most “appalling and disgraceful” thing he saw was when an officer allegedly ran over to an elderly nudist couple and booked the man and not the woman.
“These officers behaved like hunters looking for prey on the beach,” he said.
“They are merciless, even booking the two peaceful pensioners.”
The man questioned whether the officers were upholding the law or raising revenue by not appearing to give warnings to any of the beach-goers who were fined.
Earlier this week, Noosa Heads officer in charge Senior Sergeant Steven McReight confirmed six fines were issued within a week but said the upped patrols were in response to an incident in which a man was charged for running naked through Noosa National Park wearing nothing but a scarf and shoes (Noosa Today, 16 September).
“We received numerous complaints about the elderly man running through the park, so we have stepped up patrols in response,” he said.
Snr Sgt McReight said officers were not targeting the area as it is “not a hot spot” or a place of “priority”, but will continue to patrol the National Park to ensure users’ safety.
Member for Noosa Glen Elmes has also weighed in on the issue, saying if people put clothes on there wouldn’t be police hiding in the bushes.
The incident has also sparked outrage on Facebook with many users calling for authorities to leave the nudists alone.
Alison Mawson wrote: “Where is the harm in people minding their own business, enjoying the outdoors and being naked while doing so? They’re not hurting anyone.”
Councillor Jess Glasgow even commented on Facebook saying: “There’s no harm”.
“Personally, I see no (harm) in people enjoying A-Bay clothes on or off. Simple as that,” he wrote.
Mr Bristow said he was appalled by the entire issue and was calling on the community to join the push for legal nude beaches in Queensland.
Mr Bristow said anyone who wanted to join the fight should write to their local councillors and state MP asking them to support legislation changes that would allow local governments to nominate nudist beaches within their region.
