Is nude beach acceptable?

BUCHAN Point, just north of Palm Cove, has been an unofficial nude beach for decades.

Yes, it is illegal, and people going naked by wilfully exposing their genitals can be fined $235.60 if caught by the police.

Every now and then there are calls to ban nudists from the beach which includes a secluded cove but which also is in full view of residents who live above at Buchan St.

The nudists tend to walk up and down the beach, frolic in the sea and take shelter under trees, foliage and shrubbery.

There have been reports of lewd behaviour too, both in the open and under cover.

The pretty beach is used by others, people and families taking their dogs for walks and fishers casting a line off the rocky points.

Is it fair that they can be confronted by full nakedness and also by sexual activities?

Can nudity and ‘normal’ activities co-exist?

Clifton Beach fishing identity and retailer Keith Graham is fed up and wants a crackdown by authorities.

The police say the beach is a constant bugbear.

Further aggravating the situation is that the area, which has two main car parks, is used by people to camp.

But there are no toilets, washing facilities or running water so the campers are urinating and defecating in nearby bushland.

There are unofficial nude beaches throughout Queensland.

Perhaps it is time the beach is officially declared a nudist area and appropriate signs placed to warn other beach users.

But that does not excuse any public sexual behaviour which police can and will act on if complaints are made.

Nick Dalton Deputy editor