Noosa city council had a major crackdown with Queensland Police Service this past weekend during an “enforcement blitz” that caught out more than 30 people.
In what the local officials are calling an “enforcement blitz”, Noosa local council and Queensland police (QPS) have issued 31 fines of $322 in one weekend for illegal camping.
The joint agency operation took place in Noosa Spit, Noosa Junction, and Noosa National Park, and targeted campers making use of public grounds for accommodation, according to Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie.
“Residents were understandably frustrated with our streets, parks, and gardens being used as campgrounds and toilets,” Wilkie said.
“I deeply appreciate residents’ patience on this issue that had escalated during the months of protected industrial action.
“Our team is back working in partnership with the QPS to address illegal camping and provide referrals and support for those who are genuinely homeless.”
The council’s Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said recent complaints from the community about the illegal camping in these areas, prompted the weekend blitz.
But the crackdown is not over yet, as the council intends to continue the joint operations in other “problem areas”, as well as ongoing Noosa patrols targeting illegal camping.
“We have a number of purpose-built campgrounds across the shire with current capacity to accommodate campervans, where travellers can park overnight and access barbecues, rubbish bins, toilet and shower facilities,” MacGillivray said.
“Our carparks and streets were never intended for use as camping areas.
“Campervan travellers planning to stay overnight on Noosa’s streets and carparks are on notice to expect a $322 fine, which is much more than they’d pay for a night at one of our campgrounds.”
MacGillivray also noted that not all people were illegally camping, but some were local people left homeless due to the housing crisis and extenuating circumstances.
“In these instances, our staff exercise compassion and wherever possible our staff will assist with referrals to state support services that may be able to provide temporary accommodation and other support,” MacGillivray said.
This blitz was in response to the community and council taking the situation seriously, with plans in place to install more signage and potentially cite harsher fines to further tackle the issue.
Ilana is a Melbourne-based journalist who was previously a copywriter in the Big Apple. Having moved to Melbourne for her Master of Journalism, she has written articles about food, farm machinery, fashion, and now the fast and furious. Her dream car has been a Mini Cooper since the fifth grade, eyeing its style and petite size.
