Miami residents frustrated as illegal Burleigh campers relocate to residential streets

Illegal campers booted from Gold Coast parking lots by city council are now taking ‘van life’ elsewhere, further frustrating residents who say they are clogging up the area.

Illegal campers booted from city parking lots are driving around the corner and pulling up outside family homes for days on end.

Miami resident Michelle Douglas says she had a run-in with one of the campers and is begging city leaders to “do something about it”.

Blurred image of man living in van.

She said one man parked his van outside a “young family’s doorstep” for seven days.

“A vagrant is visibly eating, sleeping and dressing in a beat-up Toyota van and insists it is his right to do so,” Ms Douglas said.

“This is clearly a lifestyle choice by these individuals, not necessity born of homelessness.”

She said the man was “erratic, threatening” acted in a “volatile manner”.

“This is of real concern as I feel the matter is being ping-ponged between Queensland police and the council. It’s going nowhere.

The Bulletin reported last month that police had told illegal campers to move on or face a fine of up to $667.

Many are choosing a “van life” along Burleigh Esplanade.

In 2015, hordes of illegal campers and backpackers were booted from The Spit as part of a crackdown instigated by Mayor Tom Tate and Queensland Police. The fine at the time for illegal camping was $150.

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“I care about my community and the families living in it,” Ms Douglas added.

“Without sounding gauche, they are paying a premium to live here. Why should that be compromised because of a few self-entitled individuals?”

Ms Douglas suggested the council create an enforcement team similar to the one in popular tourist spot Byron Shire.

The team uses number plate recognition technology that records the registration of cars and fines between $110 and $2200 are issued automatically.

“Please do something about the growing number of travellers being removed from our esplanades and into the local avenues,” Ms Douglas said.

“I feel our rates warrant swift action by council to remove these interlopers.”

Burleigh van-dweller Nathan Smith supports illegal camping. Picture: Sam Stolz

A council spokeswoman said it was aware of illegal camping occurring at The Esplanade in Burleigh and surrounding locations and is investigating this complaint.

“The City acts on complaint in relation to these matters and conducts regular patrols of this area. The fine for illegal camping is $667,” she said.

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