By JONATHON HOWARD
ONE of the biggest talking points in Noosa this year was the “unofficial nude” status of Alexandria Bay, where several nudists have been visiting since the 1960s.
But when a complaint prompted Noosa Police to visit the beach and crack down on naked beach goers the nudists were once again spurred into action.
Several eye-witnesses wrote passionate letters to Noosa Today and said they were shocked by the appearance of a police officer who started issuing infringement notices for public nudity at A-Bay in August.
The residents said the police officer chased several nudists down the beach and even booked a nude swimmer as he exited the water.
Noosa Police later said it had acted on a number of complaints and was required to follow through with an investigation and subsequent issuing of infringement notices for going nude in a public place.
The police have since restored the balance and have only made routine visits to the beach, but questions remained around whether A-Bay could become an official nude beach.
Noosa Today took residents concerns to Member for Noosa Glen Elmes MP who said in this case it was best to “let sleeping dogs lie”.
Mr Elmes warned that stirring the political and social pot around the A-Bay nudity issue, could attract a “less desirable outcome”.
“If people are going to stage protests and push the matter, it could result in an outcome that’s less desirable,” he said.
Mr Elmes said police, the council and the State Government had for years turned a blind eye to A-Bay, but with continued pressure that could all change.
“Don’t stir this up – you may get an outcome that’s less desirable than the current situation,” he said.
“Don’t put police, council or the state in a position where they may have to address the unofficial nude beach status of A-Bay – it is best, in this case, to let sleeping dogs lie.”
While the issue has not flared up since, it remains to be seen whether complaints will continue and the resulting protests.
