Illegal campers set own border

A GROUP of illegal campers physically roped off an area for themselves in a carpark south of Ellis Beach when Queensland’s lockdown rules were first enforced.

Jamie Bartels, group general manager for the company that operates Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows, said it was a ludicrous situation.

“They had their own taskforce deciding who they were letting in and who they weren’t,” he said.

“Everyone hides behind the mask of someone else having authority. Somebody just needs to make a decision.

“It was out of control during lockdown one and in lockdown two it has continued.”

Countless emails, phone calls and meetings with Cairns Regional Council, DTMR and police appear to have achieved little except more emails, phone calls and meetings to be scheduled.

“There’s no sanitary or hygiene protocol for these people, which is evident by the rubbish and the defecation that are going on in the areas where they’re camping,” Mr Bartels said.

“It just seems farcical in the current heightened climate of COVID-19. If ever there was a time to manage these areas, it would be now.”

He said it took seven years to get a permit for the resort, dealing with multiple departments and levels of government.

“I find it contemptuous that these people, whether they are local residents, international tourists or whatever, are let to go willy-nilly and do whatever they like,” he said.

“It seems bizarre.”

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said he was working to fix the problem.

“I have spoken to (police) Minister Ryan and (main roads) Minister Bailey about this issue and am working … with both departments to address the situation,” he said.

In the meantime, campers are not being asked to leave.