{"id":42019,"date":"2026-07-01T05:25:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T05:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/42019\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T05:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T05:25:17","slug":"tourists-complain-after-1600-fine-during-aussie-councils-blitz-on-illegal-camping-not-doing-any-harm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/42019\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourists complain after $1,600 fine during Aussie council’s blitz on illegal camping: ‘Not doing any harm’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A group of UK travellers illegally parked in a popular beachside car park<\/a> overnight have each been slapped with a $333 fine during a major council blitz.<\/a><\/p>\n

Queensland’s Noosa Council has been working with police to address the longstanding issue<\/a> of illegal camping at tourist hotspots<\/a> throughout the area in response to “growing community frustration”.<\/p>\n

Residents have long complained of campervans filling car parks at beaches<\/a> and parks along the coast, blocking access to their favourite beaches.<\/p>\n

Council officers and Queensland Police visited several problem spots<\/a> last weekend, including Tingira Crescent, Claude Batten Drive, The Spit, Dog Beach, National Park precincts, Lanyana Way and Beach Access 50.<\/p>\n

In total, 13 fines and one caution were handed to travellers unlawfully camping at hotspots<\/a> throughout the region.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

They’ve been travelling around Australia for six months, sleeping in a single van.<\/p>\n

Speaking to\u00a07News, 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\u00a0staying for long periods.<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

Noosa Council issued 13 fines and one caution to travellers unlawfully squatting at hotspots throughout the region.<\/p>\n

(Noosa Council)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But the young men fail to see what the issue is.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

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” .<\/p>\n

“I don’t think we’re doing anyone harm,” one said.<\/p>\n

They thought a better approach could have been to warn travellers and tell them to move on, but instead, they were hit hard financially.<\/p>\n

Is there an illegal camping problem in your area? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

Authorities targeted travellers camped illegally in car parks.<\/p>\n

(Noosa Council)Council’s longstanding battle with illegal camping across region<\/p>\n

The targeted blitz is the second in four weeks, with a further 37 infringements issued during that time, Noosa Council said on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Noosa’s Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said, “locals have had enough”.<\/p>\n

“The mess that they leave from cooking and cleaning and other waste is accumulating and having an impact,” he said.<\/p>\n

Council has been attempting to address the issue<\/a> for some time, and in recent years, has conducted regular compliance blitzes<\/a> targeting illegal campers who park where they shouldn’t<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Left:<\/p>\n

Residents have been complaining about the issue for years with council’s enforcement so far not deterring campers.<\/p>\n

Previously, illegal campers have been warned of $322 fines if caught unlawfully parked in camping hotspots.<\/p>\n

“Which is much more than they’d pay for a night at one of our campgrounds,” MacGillivray previously said.<\/p>\n

Council said it “continues to support locals experiencing genuine homelessness<\/a>“, many of whom use the public spaces.<\/p>\n

It’s once again reminded travellers to use the “proper campgrounds with facilities ” in the area.<\/p>\n

Council urged to consider ‘exploring additional solutions’<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But she agrees there’s value in exploring additional solutions, including identifying “safe car parks for those that are homeless”.<\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

The major blitz is the second in a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n

(Noosa Council)<\/p>\n

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