Residents erupt over council move to curb illegal act at popular Aussie beach

It's the latest move by a council grappling with illegal overnight camping at the beach car park.

A woman showering at the beach (left). Campers parked at City Beach, Perth at night (right)
The Town of Cambridge council has turned off the hot water at City Beach, Perth to deter illegal campers. Source: Facebook

A council has received major pushback to its decision to turn off the hot water at its public showers at a popular beach in an attempt to curb illegal campers from using the amenities.

The Town of Cambridge council in Perth turned off the taps at City Beach on Monday after only giving the community a few days' notice, with the council telling Yahoo News it hopes the decision will act as a deterrent for those who choose to camp overnight in public areas where it is not permitted.

This illegal camping activity has led to greater use of the public facilities and put pressure on council services, the council reported, with an increase in litter and rubbish in bins meaning the frequency of waste removal has been required.

Rangers have also been issuing infringements and utilising CCTV in the crackdown on offenders. However, the decision has been broadly met with disapproval, with some in the community saying the council is 'part of the problem' rather than finding solutions.

Beachgoers have criticised the council, suggesting they have now made it even more difficult for those Aussies struggling with homelessness or for those trying to travel on a budget.

"Make life as hard and uncomfortable as possible for those who have nowhere to sleep," one man wrote online, with others calling it a "backward step" and words like "cruel" and "nasty" tossed around.

Others who frequently use the beach also expressed their disappointment saying the action is not the best way to address illegal campers because it also punished ratepayers wanting to use the beach.

"I swim year round in the ocean at City Beach and the thought of a warm shower after a winter swim is something that I thoroughly look forward to," one ocean swimmer wrote. "Plenty of locals enjoy a hot shower and no harm being done," another said.

Kelton Hincks, Acting CEO at the Town of Cambridge council, told Yahoo News this measure "aims to keep City Beach clean and safe for all beachgoers". However, he failed to comment on the pushback the council has received about the decision.

"This was an administrative decision made to address the issue of illegal camping at City Beach," he said.

There has been a rise in the number of councils reporting illegal camping and many are grappling with the best way to reduce it, with the popular resort town Exmouth on Western Australia's North West Coast announcing a bold new plan to the sum of $200,000. A new campground is being built to protect the area's fragile and unique natural environment, with illegal camping impacting the vegetation growth in the area.

Sandy Cape Recreation Park (left) and Cowaramup Bay (right) with campers parked at public car parks.
Illegal camping has been an issue in many parts of the country. Source: Chris Allen/Google Photos and ABC

Councils have also been trialling harsher penalties for illegal camping, with major crackdowns in parts of Queensland as Noosa Shire Council increased the fine to $309 last August — and now threatened to tow vehicles believed to be breaking the rules.

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