Illegal camping blitz continues with 40 fines issued
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Council’s illegal camping crackdown continues with patrols late last week and over the Easter weekend resulting in 40 fines issued.
Recent patrols, supported by Queensland Police Service, saw 40 fines issued for illegal camping.
A joint Noosa Council / Queensland Police Service blitz on Thursday saw 29 fines issued for illegal camping across Noosa Heads, Sunrise Beach and Peregian Beach.
Council officers issued a further 11 fines and six warnings on Saturday in patrols targeting illegal camping hotspots at Noosaville, Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach, and Sunrise Beach.
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.
“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.
Development and Regulation Director Richard MacGillivray said 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 Queensland Police Service 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.”
The trial of a 10pm-to-4am no-parking zone through 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.
Parking fines vary from $77 to $116 depending on the offence, and $309 for illegal camping.