Illegal camping crackdown in Queensland
Overnight patrols to catch sneaky free campers in popular Queensland coastal regionThe Gympie Regional Council in Queensland is the latest local authority to crack down on illegal camping.
The Council, which covers popular tourist areas along the Cooloola Coast, plans to crank up overnight Ranger patrols in illegal camping 'hot spots' around the Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay foreshores.
The additional patrols are planned from 5pm to 7am, with Rangers given the authority to issue verbal and written warnings and hand out fines of up to $266 if required.
The Grey Nomads reports the Gympie Council has received 103 complaints about illegal camping on the coast since July 1, while complaints about illegal camping across the entire Gympie region are also up – from 51 in 2019 to 86 this year.
The issue of free camping in the Gympie region was discussed at a recent council meeting, with councilors taking different sides on the often contentious subject.
Councillor Bob Fredman said it should be a 'user pays' system and council was not ‘under any obligation to offer free camping’, while Councillor Bruce Devereaux thought that not providing free camping would deter travellers from staying and spending money in the region.
“The people that free camp aren’t the people that go ‘there’s no fee camping, I’ll go stay at a caravan park’,” Cr Devereaux said. “They travel differently … so the only way you’re going to get the free camping money into the area is to have somewhere for them to go.”
Meanwhile, another Queensland local authority, the Somerset Regional Council is seeking State Government intervention after a reported increase in the dumping of waste and refuse by campers along the Brisbane River.
Inconsiderate campers have been leaving waste including human excrement, nappies and used condoms in popular riverside campsites including Savages Crossing and Twin Bridges.
“Disgraceful human filth is the best way to describe (some of the waste),” Councillor Sean Choat told the Queensland Times. “We’ve got to do something. Council is so frustrated. We’ve tried everything. We can’t police it. It’s in the lap of the State Government, it’s their corridor.”
The Council is seeking an amendment to state government legislation that would allow authorities to issue penalties to irresponsible campers that leave behind a 'disgusting' mess.
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