‘Million-dollar views aren’t just for the rich’: Gold Coast free campers hit back at council, police

While a number of local residents and council are up in arms over illegal camping in Burleigh, free campers say they have “every right” to be there. Have your say.

Nathan Smith gently strums a ukulele in the back of his van on Burleigh Esplanade.

He says what at first was a “necessity”, quickly became a “choice”.

Mr Smith is talking about 'van life'.

But the only problem is he’s one of many camping illegally along Burleigh’s beachfront strip, which council said Monday could warrant a fine of up to $667.

Mr Smith, however – says he had “every right to be there.”

Burleigh van-dweller Nathan Smith says “million dollar views aren’t just for rich people.” Picture: Sam Stolz

“I’ve been living in my van for five months. When I first came to the Gold Coast from Toowoomba I tried to rent a property but it was impossible,” he said.

“There were people willing to put down six months rent upfront in order to secure a property, so I bought a van and this is my home now.”

Mr Smith said he was a hard worker, who worked five nights a week in disability care.

“There’s a massive stereotype that we are all bums but it’s simply not the case.”

“I’ve saved $20,000 since I’ve been doing this because I live simply. I use the showers at the gym I go to and I get to wake up by the ocean every day.”

He said it was “insane” council and police were handing out fines, adding there was “more serious crimes going unpunished.”

People in caravans and vans are taking advantage of free parking spots and setting up camp on Burleigh Esplanade. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“I’ve had two warnings from both police and council, and they knocked on my window at 1:30am and 4am respectively. I think it’s crazy they were out here at that hour trying to boost revenue for the City.”

Mr Smith also said residents along the Esplanade had complained. He said the “million dollar views” weren’t just for “rich people”.

Another woman living “part-time” out of her van, Melanie Pritchard, said council needed to change their mindset.

“With the pandemic forcing a lot of good, honest people out of their homes and out a job, there needs to be more understanding that some of these people have no choice,” she said.

“Everything has been turned on its head and I think there needs to at least be a temporary solution.”

January 18, 2022

Illegal camping rife in popular Coast suburb

FIRST they took over The Spit.

Now a growing number of free campers are taking up precious parks along one of the Gold Coast’s most popular strips.

They have spread to Burleigh Esplanade and are bunking on the Goodwin Terrace beachfront.

And it’s not just your garden-variety Kombi-dwelling hippie teens. There’s a sprinkling of grey nomads in kitted-out camper vans also taking up prime spots.

It’s an issue causing regular beachgoers to tear their hair out and squeeze the wheel over the frustrating scramble to find a park.

QLD_GCB_NEWS_BURLEIGHTRASH_5DEC21_STOLZ

According to locals, it’s not just the illegal parking causing issues.

A long-time Burleigh resident and avid surfer said he was “deeply concerned” about the mess being left behind by the campers.

“There’s a total lack of respect being shown for the area,” he said.

“We are so fortunate to live in one of the most stunning locations in Australia and are blessed with the natural beauty of Burleigh Headland, Tallebudgera Creek and surrounds.

“It’s a real shame to see people making such a mess when bins are just a few metres walk away.”

The man, who wished to remain anonymous – said the problem hadn’t been an isolated incident and there were “several occasions” where rubbish and debris was “intentionally” left behind up and down the Burleigh Esplanade.

A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said they were aware of the illegal camping issue in Burleigh Heads.

“Council conducts regular patrols in the area and we have increased these patrols over the peak holiday period.”

The spokesperson said anyone illegally camping and flouting the law would be slapped with a $667 fine.

Gold Coast City Council regulations prohibit people from sleeping in their vehicle in all public areas.

In 2015, hordes of illegal campers and backpackers were booted from The Spit, where Mayor Tom Tate and Queensland Police implemented a “strict crackdown” to rid them from the city.

The fine at the time for illegal camping was $150.

Originally published as ‘Million-dollar views aren’t just for the rich’: Gold Coast free campers hit back at council, police