A group of UK travellers illegally parked in a popular beachside car park overnight have each been slapped with a $333 fine during a major council blitz.
Queensland’s Noosa Council has been working with police to address the longstanding issue of illegal camping at tourist hotspots throughout the area in response to “growing community frustration”.
Residents have long complained of campervans filling car parks at beaches and parks along the coast, blocking access to their favourite beaches.
Council officers and Queensland Police visited several problem spots last weekend, including Tingira Crescent, Claude Batten Drive, The Spit, Dog Beach, National Park precincts, Lanyana Way and Beach Access 50.
In total, 13 fines and one caution were handed to travellers unlawfully camping at hotspots throughout the region.
The five mates from Wales were among those woken by police in the early hours and issued a fine for camping overnight at Noosa Spit during the blitz.
They’ve been travelling around Australia for six months, sleeping in a single van.
Speaking to 7News, they claim they had no idea they couldn’t park and stay overnight in the beachside car park, which is often filled with campervans, many staying for long periods.
One member of the group said it was six in the morning when they were woken by “a policeman shining a torch in my face”, one said.
Noosa Council issued 13 fines and one caution to travellers unlawfully squatting at hotspots throughout the region.
(Noosa Council)
They said they didn’t receive a warning and were instead each handed a hefty $333 fine. That’s $1,665 in total for one night’s stay.
There are several affordable campsites in the area, ranging from $15 to $90, local councillor Amelia Lorentson pointed out last week. Travellers are encouraged to use them instead.
But the young men fail to see what the issue is.
RELATED
They said they could understand if piles of rubbish were left outside on public land, but they fail to see what’s wrong with parking a van in a car park space “that’s not being used at 6 in the morning” .
“I don’t think we’re doing anyone harm,” one said.
They thought a better approach could have been to warn travellers and tell them to move on, but instead, they were hit hard financially.
Is there an illegal camping problem in your area? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com
Authorities targeted travellers camped illegally in car parks.
(Noosa Council)Council’s longstanding battle with illegal camping across region
The targeted blitz is the second in four weeks, with a further 37 infringements issued during that time, Noosa Council said on Saturday.
Noosa’s Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said, “locals have had enough”.
“The mess that they leave from cooking and cleaning and other waste is accumulating and having an impact,” he said.
Council has been attempting to address the issue for some time, and in recent years, has conducted regular compliance blitzes targeting illegal campers who park where they shouldn’t.
Residents have been complaining about the issue for years with council’s enforcement so far not deterring campers.
Previously, illegal campers have been warned of $322 fines if caught unlawfully parked in camping hotspots.
“Which is much more than they’d pay for a night at one of our campgrounds,” MacGillivray previously said.
Council said it “continues to support locals experiencing genuine homelessness“, many of whom use the public spaces.
It’s once again reminded travellers to use the “proper campgrounds with facilities ” in the area.
Council urged to consider ‘exploring additional solutions’
Local councillor Amelia Lorentson, who’s been vocal on the matter, agreed “illegal camping is a complex issue”, concluding “there isn’t a single solution” to the growing problem.
But she agrees there’s value in exploring additional solutions, including identifying “safe car parks for those that are homeless”.
The major blitz is the second in a matter of weeks.
(Noosa Council)
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.