Cairns ratepayers the unhappy campers now
LYING in the back of a converted minibus at a Clifton Beach park, Doug Homes spends his days soaking in the sun and million-dollar views.
Motivational posters hang around his vehicle, and crystals line the window sills.
He even has a No.6 attached to the outside of his van, which he uses to explain to council rangers that wherever he parks is his home.
“I had a difficult life (but) now my life is beautiful,” the 52-year-old said when asked why he chose to flout council camping by-laws.
“We need to live like this, some of us.
“Some people choose not to live the mainstream life.”
But not everyone shares Doug’s point of view.
Clifton Beach resident and semi-retired teacher Tom Tyndall said each year during the dry season he was noticing more and more people camping illegally.
“The thing that really irks people is we’re paying upwards of $3000 a year on rates and these buggers are camping here and getting away with it for absolutely nothing,” he said.
“They’re using facilities the council provides for picnickers – we’ve been in to use those facilities and they’ve been absolutely disgusting.
“The council does a great job ... (campers) are leaving rubbish around the area, setting up hammocks and breaking branches.”
The problem of people camping where they shouldn’t is a difficult one to solve, and is compounded by the fact the council is essentially powerless to make campers pay any fines they’re issued.
If a camper is an international traveller or has no fixed address and gives a false name, there is very little rangers can do about it.
It’s an issue not limited to Clifton Beach, with 40 campers a night sometimes spotted at Trinity Beach.
That’s why Division 9 Cairns councillor Greg Fennell wants to see a joint effort by police and council rangers to bring an end to the problem.
“Under the current bylaws there is no solution,” Cr Fennell said.
“The only thing we can do is signpost ... we can’t get, by an act of law, the actual truth out of them. The only ones who can do that is the QPS.
“I’d like police officers to go out with council officers and move them (campers) along.”
But a Police Media spokeswoman said this was unlikely to happen.
“The issue of illegal camping primarily lies with the Cairns Regional Council and the move-on powers as provided in the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act do not apply to the mere act of camping illegally,” she said.
“The fact that people are committing an offence under council by-laws is insufficient for a move-on direction and does not come within the parameters of the Act.”
Mr Tyndall said he would like to see the council build more low-cost camp grounds to address the problem.
But with various private caravan parks around Cairns paying more than $50,000 a year in rates, Cr Fennell said this was unlikely.
While the debate rages on, the council will role out three new ‘No Camping’ signs, to be installed at Clifton Beach before the end of October.
Meanwhile, Doug said he would continue to move “between the mountains and the beach”.
“I’m the healthiest 52-yearold I know,” he said.
“I’m having the time of my life now.
“I like simplicity, I like to be healthy – I don’t have kids, and I don’t feel the need to complicate my life.”