Queensland local cops $806 fine for little-known 'camping' crime

"That's appalling," said one commenter on social media. Now, Gold Coast City Council has spoken.

A Queensland woman has taken to TikTok after copping a $806 fine for sleeping in her car.

The woman, who lives in the Gold Coast City Council area, said that the fine was as a result of her camping unlawfully in a public place. But, she has a few objections, and a warning for others wanting to do the same.

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Image: TikTok / @belindaleerose.

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“I’m not allowed to stay in my van?”

Gold Coast local Belinda, on TikTok as @belindaleerose, took to the app this week to share a fine she received for sleeping in her car.

“Did you know it was illegal to sleep in your vehicle? Well it is!” she says in the video.

“I got woken up at 1.30am this morning. A council worker must have been patrolling the area, and the little weasel must have called the police officer. The two of them were at my door at 1.30am and they issued me with this notice.”

She explains that the notice is for ‘unlawful camping in a public place’ - garnering a fine of a whopping $806.

However, she said she’s interested in hearing more about Gold Coast City Council's legislation - given that she was actually parked on her property, in her own driveway.

“My house is currently in the process of being built, there’s only a few things left to do, and yet I’m not allowed to stay in my van,” she said.

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“Take it to court!”

Commenters on the post were just as confused as Belinda, wondering where the line between unlawful camping and simply taking a rest in your car on a road trip, or setting up a tent in one’s backyard.

“Don’t drive tired but also don’t sleep or rest in your car,” one person said.

“So they tell us to pull up and rest while travelling long distances..how hypocritical,” another agreed.

“So if I set up a tent in the back yard and camp out with my kids, will I get a fine too? How is this any different?! What we do on our OWN PROPERTY is no one’s business,” a third person agreed.

Given that Belinda said she was on her property, many even suggested she contest the fine.

“Don't pay, take it to court, show you are the owner of the property and make them apologise and ask for them to pay costs for court and your wasted time,” one commenter suggested.

“That's appalling. They shouldn't even have been stepping on your private property,” another criticised.

“Burden of proof is on them to prove that you were sleeping, so I would absolutely be challenging this one!” said another person.

@belindaleerose

$806 Fine if you sleep in your vehicle in Queensland. what is going on with councils. Money hungry organisation. #vanlife #van #building #home #councils #VanLifeStruggles #propertyrights #parking #parkingticket #control #controller #government #goldcoast

♬ original sound - Belindalee

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

Speaking to Kidspot, a Gold Coast City Council spokesperson detailed the current rules against unlawful camping.

“City officers conduct regular patrols for illegal camping across the Gold Coast, including responding to complaints,” a City spokesperson said.

“Camping under the local law includes sleep in or stay overnight in or attempt to sleep in or stay overnight in a tent or motor vehicle. Illegal camping occurs in public spaces including parks, local government roads, and driveways on public land between a private property boundary and the kerb.”

They also said that for first-time offenders, a warning - which they believe it looks like Belinda has been given - is provided, educating people on what they can and cannot do before being asked to move on.

“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. This education includes a small green card which provides details about the offence. If the person is a repeat offender a fine may be issued to each adult in the vehicle worth $806 (5 penalty units),” the spokesperson said.

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

Council also encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to bring them to them directly.

“Concerns about illegal camping can be reported via Report a Problem on the City’s app or at https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Report-pay-apply/Report-a-problem,” they said.

Originally published as Queensland local cops $806 fine for little-known 'camping' crime