By Jolene Ogle
RESIDENTS living near the former Noosa Heads Bowls Club site are tired of the late night parties and illegal campers plaguing the area.
A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they are constantly kept awake at night by the noise from drunken parties on the former bowls site.
Another resident said it’s common for up to five camper vans to park in the bowls site’s carpark for days at a time and dump rubbish when they leave.
A visit to the site on Monday, 26 September, showed the extent of the damage to the former bowls club building which is now covered in graffiti, and the greens were strewn with litter from broken glass scattered on the paths, to empty alcohol bottles and even a mattress that had been burnt.
Noosa Council said local law officers regularly patrol public areas including council car parks and streets near beaches to “remind self-drive tourists that our local laws prohibit camping in these locations”, but the former bowls site is out of reach.
“Council’s jurisdiction doesn’t extend to private property, however. We simply don’t have the legislative power to take action on privately owned land with respect to parking laws. So we refer to police any complaints about illegal camping on private land,” Local Laws co-ordinator Phil Amson said.
“This is just what we’ve done following complaints about people camping in the car park of the former bowls club site at Noosa Junction. We have informed police and we have also contacted the owner.
“Thankfully the majority of self-drive visitors make use of Noosa’s designated camping sites, most of which offer toilet and shower facilities.”
Mr Amson said despite patrols, there will always be a few people who attempt to camp for free in public areas.
“I would remind them that it is illegal to do so and that Council may issue fines, particularly if they leave behind litter or disturb nearby residents,” he said.
The former bowls club at Noosa Junction is owned by Coles, and Council confirmed they are still in discussions with the developer to discuss options for the site’s future.
After a 45-year history, the last game of bowls was played on the site on Saturday, 2 May 2015, and the site has since lain dormant, boarded up while its future is considered.
Residents are encouraged to report illegal camping by calling 5329 6500.
