Authorities are set to crack down on unruly behaviour at a holiday hotspot during the Easter break, after a spate of incidents there during the past year.
Police and rangers will have an increased presence at Teewah Beach and the Great Sandy National Park, to deter visitors from dangerous driving and general disorder.
More than 2000 fines were issued there in 12 months, when police enacted Operation Sandstrike and the ongoing Operation Sandstorm, which targets hooning.
Police moved 80 campers on in October and went viral after swooping on young drivers in November. Then, four teens were hospitalised after a rollover in January.
Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol’s Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho said police will be there in greater numbers “to ensure the safety of everyone in the national park”.
“There will be roadside drug testing and breath testing and speed enforcement,” he said.
“We would prefer that people are compliant, rather than having to take enforcement action against them.”
He said drivers needed to be aware of the fatal five and be cautious of nearby children.
“There will be families with young ones who only see the beach (and are not looking out for vehicles),” he said.
“Drive to the conditions and slow down, so everyone can enjoy the beautiful location.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science said more rangers would be on site.
“They will be working closely with police to uphold safe driving practices and help prevent anti-social behaviour,” they said.
“Rangers can issue fines for non-compliance, failure to have the necessary permits and for environmentally and socially inappropriate behaviour.
“Rangers can also order people to leave the recreation area.
“Visitors to Teewah Beach should expect to see rangers visiting their campsite during the day or evening and are asked to be courteous and helpful with any inquiries.”
The long stretch of sand has become a tourist hotspot in recent years.
“It’s one of Queensland’s busiest and most popular family camping areas, attracting more than 200,000 camper nights each year,” the spokesperson said.
“Teewah offers a wide variety of experiences that captivate visitors, including golden beaches, the clear blue ocean and the coastal sand cliffs.
“The national park also features massive sand blows, and it has hiking trails through remnant rainforest.”
Activities include beach camping, beach driving, fishing, surfing, bird watching, boating and hiking.
A bumper crowd will converge on the main camping area during the next couple of weeks.
“Camper capacity for Teewah is 1500, and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service expects all sites to be fully booked over the Easter long weekend,” the spokesperson said.
“Rangers also expect a large number of day visitors in the recreation area over the weekend.”
Visitors were urged to take care of nature, be considerate and take safety precautions.
“People are encouraged to respect the environment and their fellow campers by limiting noise at night and driving safely at all times, and only drive on the beach when tides permit,” they said.
“People are responsible to dispose of all rubbish in waste stations provided or take it back home.
“All campers on Teewah Beach must bring and use a portable toilet, which can be emptied in toilet waste facilities provided at Noosa North Shore and the Freshwater camping and day-use area.
“Create memories and leave only footprints behind.”
Visitors need a permit to camp at Teewah and a permit to drive on Teewah Beach. Vehicles must be registered, and drivers must be licensed.
Holidaymakers were also urged to be wary of the surf there.
A search was scaled back for a man in January.
Sunshine Coast Surf Life Saving supervisor Shane Urban said conditions were hazardous.
“It’s a challenging area, where there is no constant surveillance and there are flash rips on a regular basis, and some people make poor choices swimming there,” he said.
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service and roving patrols are expected to inspect the beach at times.
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