Illegal camper builds elaborate beachfront set up on Burleigh beach

Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster said he had been contacted daily by residents complaining about the ”out-of-control” illegal campers in the beachside suburb.

First it was a tent on a car, then a tent on a picnic shelter, then the elaborate set up on the edge of the hill and now the Burleigh camper has moved onto the beach. Photo: Glenn Hampson

A serial illegal camper has moved his extravagant set up on a Gold Coast beach even closer to the water despite complaints, amid concerns Burleigh has become a homeless hotspot.

The well-known camper has previously put a tent on a car, a tent on a picnic shelter, a tent on the edge of the hill and this week has set up a gazebo on the sand.

On Tuesday he was spotted dragging his swag, surfboard and e-bike onto the beach.

Residents claimed the illegal camper was the same man who pitched a tent on top of a picnic shelter at the bottom of the hill in July and one on his car in June.

Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster said he had been contacted daily by residents complaining about the ”out-of-control” illegal campers in the beachside suburb.

“I don’t feel safe (in Burleigh) myself. I don’t feel safe brining my kids to an area where they could potentially be exposed to people defecating and urinating in our parks and dunes,” Mr Vorster said.

“Young children should not be exposed to that. Our visitors should not be exposed to that and the situation needs to be dealt with.”

The Burleigh camper spotted dragging his swag and bike onto the beach. Photo: Glenn Hampson

The Burleigh camper moved onto the beach. Photo: Glenn Hampson

He urged Gold Coast City Council to take immediate action on the serial camper and fellow rough sleepers who have taken over Burleigh’s parks, foreshore and beach.

“It’s important to note that while we are dealing with a housing crisis, there is emergency housing support available to everybody who is willing to accept that help,” Mr Vorster said.

“When locals see that people have taken up residency on a beach, in the dunes or in a picnic shelter, after having knocked back the opportunity for housing, that’s when they lose patience and demands action.

“I absolutely support those calls.”

Mr Vorster said while his hands were tied in directly dealing with the situation, he planned to further speak to residents and “make it clear to council the extent of the problem we are facing”.

The set up was located right next to the Burleigh Pavilion on Tuesday morning. Photo: Supplied

Division 13 councillor Josh Martin said officers had commenced a “compliance action” with the individual involved, in collaboration with the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

“It’s important to note that Council does not have the powers to remove a person by force, that rests with QPS,” he said.

“This complexity can add time to getting a successful resolution so I acknowledge the community’s concerns, while this compliance activity takes place.”

A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson said it was aware of illegal campers in Burleigh Heads and were continuing to complete regular patrols in the area.

“While we cannot comment on individual cases, people 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.

An illegal camper’s tent was pitched on top of a picnic shelter in Burleigh, next to a children’s playground. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“If the person is a repeat offender an $830 fine may be issued.

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

Illegal camper parked on Burleigh Hill under the new Glasshouse Apartments was there for at least a month. Photo: Supplied

The camper has divided opinions on social media.

“Let him live, he wants to see the stars,” Samantha J-Campbell said on Facebook.

“How idealic is that. You have absolute ocean views. You wouldn’t even have to get out of bed to check out the swell,” Ronald McCrea said.

“Give the guy a break. I’m a full-time roof tiler and I’m struggling to f**king survive on the Gold Coast by myself,” Jason Morgan said.

Others urged council to move him on for good.

“I am sure there are other places he can pitch his tent,” Shirley Parras said.

“He is being cheeky, feels entitled to have an ocean front premises. As you know, people pay a lot more for ocean front homes.”

Lacey Walsh had a similar sentiment and said he was a “parasite”.

“We all pay,” he said.

Many said it was a stark reminder of the homeless epidemic on the Gold Coast and in Australia as a whole.

“Maybe if houses were more affordable we’d have less people doing stuff like this,” Jayden Caldwell said.

“Who cares (about the Burleigh camper), not hurting anyone, the government needs to fix up social housing, then people wouldn’t be in this position,” Karen Gardner said.

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