Noosa Council’s clampdown on illegal campers has intensified, with the issuing of 40 fines during the Easter long weekend.
A joint Noosa Council-Queensland Police Service blitz on Thursday last week led to 29 fines delivered at Noosa Heads, Sunrise Beach and Peregian Beach.
Council officers issued a further 11 fines and six warnings on Saturday, during patrols at illegal camping hotspots.
The two days of targeted action came after infringement notices and warnings were issued last month.
Local Laws manager Rob Smith said travellers were starting to heed the message that camping in vehicles in Noosa’s carparks and public areas won’t be tolerated.
“The reduction in fines issued on Saturday, compared to the earlier patrols, shows the message is finally getting through to travellers that if they want to stay overnight in vehicles, they need to make use of Noosa’s designated campsites and van parks,” he said via a council media release.
“Public streets and carparks aren’t designed for camping and aren’t equipped with the necessary toilet and cooking facilities.”
Illegal camping has been a consistent source of complaints to council, with staff answering more than 80 complaints already this year.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Development and Regulation director Richard MacGillivray said many residents were tired of the mess left behind by people illegally camping in public areas, as well as the monopolising of parking spaces in busy areas.
“We thank the community for their patience as we tackle the issue. We will continue to keep up patrols,” he said.
Mr Smith thanked police for supporting council’s enforcement efforts.
“Having QPS support in our enforcement efforts reinforces how seriously council is taking this issue of illegal camping in parks and carparks across the shire and the problems it creates.”
Related story: ‘Growing impatience’: illegal camping crackdown
Council said the trial of a 10pm to 4am no-parking zone at Noosa Woods and Noosa Spit has been successful in curbing illegal camping through that area.
Restrictions will remain in place while council considers broader enforcement options to regulate camping and parking in the area.
Council is progressing plans to introduce tow-away zones in busy parking areas such as the entrance to the Noosa National Park, enabling vehicles that overstay to be towed away in a longer-term plan to halt illegal camping.
Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
