Residents furious with illegal campers taking residency along Seaworld Dr at The Spit

Residents are furious over the growing number of illegal campers at The Spit, who have been heard yelling, throwing rubbish and telling others to “keep out”.

Locals are complaining several people are illegally camping at The Spit, making the area a "ghetto". Campers in the Phillip Park Carpark. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Residents are furious over the growing number of illegal campers at The Spit, who have been heard yelling, throwing rubbish and telling others to “keep out”.

Gold Coasters who have visited The Spit, which includes one of the most popular dog beaches in the city, or spent a day at Sea World said they were confronted by “numerous people” with permanent camp sites in carparks and in the bushes along Seaworld Dr.

Residents including Paul Davis and Jamie Bleakley have questioned Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) on how they are handling the illegal campers.

“The Spit now has numerous people illegally camping with vans, mini fire engine trucks, cars and tents in the bush,” one resident said.

“There is rubbish everywhere and they are taking over small car parks.

“I can assure you that no female would feel safe in some of those areas by themselves. It has become a ghetto over the past two years.”

One of the campers at The Spit has ‘keep out’ signs. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr Davis said the campers were using the nature reserve as their “very own waterfront permanent residences”.

“Council does nothing about it,” he said.

A GCCC spokesperson said they were conducting regular patrols at The Spit and they would connect those experiencing homelessness with required services.

“People who are found camping illegally or sleeping in vehicles on roads or parks are educated about appropriate places to sleep before being asked to move on,” they said.

“If the person is a repeat offender a fine may be issued to each adult in the vehicle worth $806 (5 penalty units).

“The City offers safe and legal camping at our tourist parks.”

On Thursday, three council cars were parked at the entrance of Phillip Park carpark and told the campers to vacate.

Soon after officers called for them to leave, film trucks rolled into the carpark, sectioning off multiple spaces on the south side of Phillip Park carpark.

A bus has resided in the Phillip Park carpark for quite some time. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Campers in the Phillip Park carpark. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Division 10 councillor Darren Taylor was approached to comment on the issue, but did not respond.

It comes less than a month after division 13 councillor Josh Martin responded to multiple complaints about eyesore campers parked up in Burleigh Heads.

Residents and visitors were frustrated by the sight of unkempt campers in scenic locations including Burleigh Hill and adjacent to the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club.

A number of vans have been camped in carparks around the Burleigh Beach area. Picture Glenn Hampson

Follow @CrysalFoxJour1

Originally published as Residents furious with illegal campers taking residency along Seaworld Dr at The Spit