Council drops bid to strip Sunnyside North beach of its nude status but steps up security
Melbourne’s only nude beach has been saved but those visiting the Mornington Peninsula site will face tougher scrutiny.
South East
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Security will be ramped up at Melbourne’s only nude beach after a bid to strip the site of its clothing optional status failed.
Mornington Peninsula council has backed down from a plan to change the status of the Mt Eliza beach following overwhelming support from naturists across Australia.
However, those using Sunnyside North beach would face tougher scrutiny after the council voted to install CCTV in the car park and push for increased police patrols.
Vegetation around the beach would be thinned to reduce hiding places for “illegal activity” and allow better views of the secluded beach.
More signs including explicit warnings against illegal behaviour and information on how complaints can be lodged would also be installed.
The council also called for more nude beaches to be declared in Melbourne to “take the pressure off” Sunnyside North.
Cr David Gill said the beach, which has been clothing optional for about 35 years, was “hugely popular” partly because it was the only one of its kind in metropolitan Melbourne.
He said the state government should help fund security measures and general infrastructure including toilets at Sunnyside North.
The council on Tuesday voted seven to two in favour of retaining the beach’s nude beach status ending a year long fight to save the site.
A second vote for extra security and regular reviews of the beach was unanimous.
Naturist Ian George attended the meeting and was thrilled with the decision.
Mr George, who travels from Berwick to visit the beach, supported the new security measures which he said would protect Sunnyside North naturists as well as nearby residents.
The battle for Sunnyside began in February after a council report revealed concerns about ongoing illegal and anti-social behaviour in the area including drug use and sexual activities in the carpark and along the foreshore.
However the council changed its tune on the beach after a survey revealed 3865 people wanted to keep it clothing optional.
Just 420 people wanted the status revoked.
The survey was held in April, however the results were not made public until November 29 after the Keep Sunnyside Clothing Optional action group lodged a freedom of information request.
The group has led the charge to save the beach, creating an online petition that has garnered 1873 signatures, and attracting support from naturists around the globe.
The fight turned nasty earlier in the year when glossy propaganda flooded Mt Eliza letter boxes warning locals the beach was not safe for children and encouraged lewd behaviour.