Illegal camp crackdown

GEELONG council has launched security patrols and CCTV monitoring of Eastern Beach in a bid to crack down on illegal campers who have descended on the popular site in recent years.

City of Greater Geelong city services director Guy WilsonBrowne confirmed the city had already begun patrols of Eastern Beach to discourage vision-site tors setting up illegal camps. “The city uses a combination of overnight security patrols, local laws officer patrols and CCTV to monitor any instances of camping and antisocial behaviour at the waterfront,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

“There is prominent signage on site to advise that camping is not permitted. Continued CCTV monitoring, regular patrols and the assistance of Victoria Police help ensure that all visitors can enjoy the beautiful Eastern Beach area.”

The CoGG said three infringement notices were issued for illegal camping at Eastern Beach during the 2020-21 summer, during which time the Geelong Advertiser received numerous reports of illegal camping at the site.

Geelong resident Bernadette Uzelac in January said she saw about 50 people who appeared to be camping at Eastern Beach about midnight on a Saturday night.

Their tents remained there the next day. “People in one group (near the kids’ pool) were shining torches into small dome tents,” Ms Uzelac said.

“You could tell they were trying to put kids to sleep.

“Other adults were in the kids’ pool making a lot of noise.

“They had a music box inside the kids’ pool area and they were drinking alcohol.”

“We have seen it on multiple occasions. The local residents have had enough of it.”

Another local resident, Jenny Clark, also saw a large group of people camping at the site in January, with photos showing numerous people sleeping under gazebos and in tents.

Mr Wilson-Browne said the CoGG was also aware of some visitors arriving early during the summer period to set up sun shelters at the beach. The setting up of these shelters was not illegal, he said.