BYRON SHIRE Councillor Michael Lyon will call for Council staff progress reports regarding illegal camping on Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads beaches.
Cr Lyon will request information as to what “actions that have been taken or are planned to be taken to prevent illegal camping, dumping and other damaging activities at the Belongil sand dunes following the latest clean-up that occurred on October 24” and “actions that have been taken or are planned to be taken to prevent damage to sand dunes at Brunswick Heads.”
Cr Lyon says, “Both Belongil and Brunswick Heads sand dunes are essential components of Byron Shire’s world class beaches, requiring careful protection not only for the amenity of residents and tourists, but also to protect the fragile health of our heavily used coastline.
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“The Belongil sand dunes have had a history of illegal camping, dumping and otherwise damaging activities and thanks to the compliance and clean up efforts of staff and residents this year there has been a decline in these activities and several fines issued.
“Similarly, the sand dunes at Brunswick Heads have often been the site of illegal fires and people otherwise walking through areas that are essential to leave undisturbed to protect ecosystems.
“As summer approaches, there is a tendency for these damaging activities to increase in frequency. As such, it is an important time to prioritise the protection of both of these areas and, for Belongil, maintain positive changes that have occurred and ensure the area does not become repopulated with illegal campers.”
Byron Shire Council’s Director Sustainable Environment and Economy, Shannon Burt, has said illegal camping is an issue all-year round but it gets worse during the school holidays and summer months.
The fines for illegal camping range from an on-the-spot fine of $110 to a maximum of $2,200.
“For significant breaches, or for repeat offenders, Council will not hesitate to issue Court Attendance Notices which have a maximum penalty of $110,000,” Ms Burt said.
“Residents are sick and tired of people illegally camping where they like, often leaving their mess behind, setting up make-shift kitchens in parks and on footpaths and using the area as a toilet as well,” Ms Burt said.
“Recently people were illegally camping in the dunes at Belongil and the mess they left was disgusting.
“Staff were cleaning up faeces, toilet paper, domestic waste, tents and furniture.”
I agree Kathy! Can’t the aboriginals go back to where they came from? Don’t they know we’ve been here for 200 years?
Why have the Aborginal Community that have been living in the Dunes for years not been fined or moved on I can not believe how you just turn a blind eye to them yet if I was doing it I would be fined Byron Council has two sets of rules and I have lived here for over 20 years and paid thousands of dollars in Rates I’m glad I have now moved to a much nicer community yet I still go to Byron to see my Dr and if I want to go for a walk on the beach I am charged excessive parking fees plus the meters are usually faulty I’m so over your double standards I have to have a licence to Fish it’s just disgusting Do Something about it