The Sunshine Coast News inbox has been flooded with letters about Noosa Council’s crackdown targeting major illegal camping hotspots.
On Saturday we published some of these letters but we have received so many more since then that we have decided to run a special Your Say today.
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 for accountability, credibility and transparency. Preference will be give to letters of 100 words or less.
I realise there are genuine homeless people who could be camping around the Coast but I do feel, from what I’ve observed, most are just tourists who didn’t bother booking a site at a caravan park because they don’t want to pay.
I’ve seen people camping near the beach with their expensive four-wheel-drives, with their sea kayaks on the roof, their fancy camping chairs, some smoking cigarettes.
I mean, it’s pretty obvious.
Lynette Saxton, Yaroomba
Really, what a waste of police resources. Does the council not have enough staff to carry out this council-driven crackdown on the campers? How about setting up a boom gate system where access is via credit card, with a well-advertised sign for increased fees on an hour-by-hour basis for the hours attended?
The council does not seem to have trouble issuing infringement notices to unleashed dogs on the beaches which, from my observation, doesn’t have to have police to supervise and hold their hand.
Mike Hogan, Buderim
I live the van life and ‘free camp’. I am homeless and have been forced into that lifestyle by a family situation. I am clean, respectful and never stay in a place for more than one night, at the council’s suggestion. I have been told by council enforcement officers that I should stay out at Daisy’s Place on the Bruce Highway at Glenview, but there are a lot of volatile characters staying there.
The council needs to focus on people’s safety rather than the complaints of the privileged residents being unhappy about a random van parked near their waterfront property.
Danny Constable
Illegal camping in vans and tents is becoming quite prevalent on the Sunny Coast. On occasions, rubbish, shopping trolleys and greywater is being left behind on their departure.
The council needs to erect appropriate signage stating fines and to be more proactive checking these areas regularly after hours, moving on and fining for multiple infringements. Turning a blind eye will only make this issue worse. Cameras in areas of frequent problems might help prevent reoccurring.
There are free camps that can be found on WikiCamps but many of the campers think they are entitled to stay at waterfront areas, showing a total disregard to residents and folks holidaying who are doing the right thing.
A no-apology clampdown is needed now before the problem gets out of control.
Ian, Sunshine Coast
I don’t live in your area but in Tassie we have free campervan areas with toilets. It is an area put aside for free camping. It does not affect locals and money is spent in towns from travellers. Win win.
Ang, Tasmania
If I have to pay an exorbitant increase in rates to stay in the hotel of my choice, I do not expect to share Noosa with illegal street campers. Just made my decision. Stay home.
E.A. Benn
I would like to suggest that issuing fines is one thing, however receiving payment is another as most of these campers are travellers and will not pay fines.
Can I suggest an alternative: clamp their wheels and they will have to pay to have them removed and I am sure this will be a better deterrent. When we travel in our motorhome we often stay in sports and showgrounds which provide facilities for campers with a minimum cost per night, usually around $20. This is great revenue for sporting and golf clubs etc and provides income for the townships. Perhaps it could be done at places like the AFL grounds or the car park at the leisure centre (toilets would need to be installed). Lions Park or the Tewantin sports fields could also be a couple of options as they are not occupied after hours.
This would be affordable for travellers to our wonderful town and eliminate the current abhorrent behaviour of those who use our beautiful bushland around the Spit to defecate and leave toilet paper strewn in bushland.
Heather, NoosaÂ
Council needs to be more than lip service to combat this illegal issue. It’s good to see the police and council combine to fine a few and create a newsy photo shoot, but is this ongoing and regular. Maybe some signage that’s not similar in any way to parking signs is needed, or a well-publicised slogan: ‘Noosa Council camping ground $0? Illegal camping $322’.
It makes no sense. The fine is grossly inadequate and doesn’t reflect the actual cost to administer, police and clean up after these tight-fisted holidaying nomads. Of course in every case, there should be an avenue to dispute the fines where hardship has forced the unfortunate homeless.
John McCrea, TewantinÂ
I have no problems with people sleeping in vehicles. Sleep is a basic human need. Making sleep illegal is a breach of human rights. If sleeping annoys people so much, another answer is provide somewhere for people to go.
The other day I was passing through Cooyar: they have a free camping site for travellers, with a suspended pedestrian bridge across the Cooyar Creek. A beautiful spot to spend the night. Sure, if they are causing a disturbance or mess or committing illegal acts, then charge them like everyone else.
The abandoned TAFE grounds in Tewantin I believe would be an ideal rest area for people to sleep in vehicles.
Worried about toilets? Council is responsible for providing public toilets and public showers. Local businesses benefit from people passing through and spending money.
All three levels of government are responsible for the homeless crisis. They refuse to provide somewhere for the homeless to go, minimum wage earners fail to earn enough money to pay rent and fail to earn enough money to buy a house or apartment.
Nobody uses the car parks in Noosa at night. If the people sleeping in vehicles are given a time to move on so day users can use the spaces, what’s the problem?
Peter, Nambour
How can this be illegal? Provide amenities for them if you can’t house them. Influencers casting stones could use a spell helping in a refugee camp. Council CEOs could join the next sleepout.
Marjorie Edwards, MargateÂ
My wife and I are 70 years old and live on a pension. We would love to go to caravan parks but have you seen the cost?
G. StewartÂ
Make a dedicated freedom camp spot a bit away from the centre and advertise it well.
It works in other areas and the facilities are kept clean and tidy.
C. Haigh
All over the country, this is happening. People who were paying low rent are being ousted so landlords could get a $400 per week rent. Most people are on pensions or low incomes. There are no public facilities anymore. There are no shower or toilets and certainly none open after dark.
People living in vans, cars, tents – they are people who used to live next door to you. A lot are older women; vulnerable people who are doing the best they can. Then you have the lot that just want to save money for their next overseas holiday … their right, but good people are being punished for it. Nobody wants to be out in the cold but you have to deal with it the best you can.
There is no low-cost permanent accommodation anywhere. Every politician should be cutting out their flash lunches and first class travel to provide some money for low-cost housing.
Most genuine people would be happy with a shed with a shower and loo and a kitchen area. But, no, they have to make public housing ‘flash’ and cheap, instead of thinking outside the square.
Wake up Australia. You could be in this position, caused by your landlord or bank’s greed. Greed over need is the motto of the day.
Jane Willis, Southern Highlands, NSW
Check the English dictionary for the definition of camping. You’ll find that council is the one that’s illegal.
They don’t have the right reason to fine.
Sam Di Natalie, Melbourne
Although I don’t currently reside on the Sunshine Coast I lived in Coolum for 10 years.
I visited Noosa National Park regularly. In my younger days I was also a camper. When I was touring in the 1980s I didn’t want to stay in conventional caravan parks either. The campground at the end of Hastings Street was closed off, possibly due to congestion, and although it’s a beautiful day area, a wonderful camping area was removed. An alternative route could have been devised back then. Hastings Street could easily be a walking street.
I feel quite perturbed by the continual negativity and punitive action taken on a lot of travellers visiting the area. I understand the frustration. However, I believe that the bigger picture is being ignored. I haven’t read once where consideration is being given to short-term camping for travellers in spaces that are not traditional caravan parks. I believe that with more leniency and specific instructions for behaviour, young people would be more responsible.
What about two or three-day affordable passes to camp in the national park and along the river – maybe a ballot system? Why should the parking spaces be reserved for residents who could walk there?
I believe that both sides of the coin should be considered. The fact that there are people forced to live in their cars is another level and is a reflection on the elitism that has emerged around Noosa.
Greed is a primary motivation where land has become so expensive that councils are not prepared to set aside green spaces close to the coast. The main reason young travellers want to stay in Noosa is because it is a world surfing mecca and has an amazing climate and environment, and they want to be close to the action, walking, surfing, swimming and eating.
Noosa has become a destination for budgets way out of the realm of ordinary people. Those lucky enough to purchase property 20 years and more ago could have a little more humility for the younger generation, less complaining and more problem solving.
Christine Moore, Hawley Beach, Tasmania
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 for accountability, credibility and transparency. Preference will be give to letters of 100 words or less.
