More than a dozen fines have been issued as a local council continues to crack down on travellers who use public car parks as campsites.
Noosa Council local laws officers issued 11 infringement notices and seven warnings in the latest patrol of illegal camping hotspots carried out at the weekend.
Gyndier Drive at Tinbeerwah, Wallace Park at Noosaville and Lions Park, Noosa Woods and Noosa Spit in Noosa Heads were among the areas targeted.
Officers issued another six infringements and nine warnings only days before at popular illegal camping locations.
Development and regulation director Richard MacGillivray said residents and ratepayers were fed up with travellers monopolising car parks and leaving behind a mess.
“We know the community wants action taken and so we continue to undertake patrols of popular areas at various times of the day and night,” he said.
Related story: ‘Growing impatience’: illegal camping crackdown
Mr MacGillivray said the trial of the 10pm to 4am no-parking zone through Noosa Woods and Noosa Spit had been successful in curbing illegal camping through that area.
“The restrictions will remain in place while council considers broader enforcement options to regulate camping and parking in these areas,” he said.
Council is fast-tracking plans to implement tow-away zones in high-demand parking areas such as the entrance to the Noosa National Park. Vehicles that overstay the time limits may be towed away in a longer-term plan to halt illegal camping.
“So far this year council has responded to 84 complaints from residents regarding illegal camping,” Mr MacGillivray said.
Parking fines vary from $77 to $116 depending on the offence, and $309 for illegal camping. These fines can be much higher if the matter goes to court.
“As always, we continue to take a common-sense approach. People living in cars due to housing issues are not the target of our enforcement efforts,” Mr MacGillivray said.
“Our staff are trained to recognise people in need and assist them with referrals to services that may be able to support them.”
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