Surf Coast nudist influx moves a step closer, following Mornington Peninsula Shire decision

The future of nude beaches on the Surf Coast could be put under the microscope as a council across the bay progresses in its bid to scrap a ‘clothing optional’ tag at their naturist hotspot.

The Surf Coast is one step closer to becoming the home of Victoria’s only nude beaches, as a council across the Bay moves to explore closing the state’s only other ‘clothing optional’ location.

Mornington Peninsula Shire council on Tuesday voted to launch community consultation to explore opinions on its own nudist beach, following a previous councillor motion signalling a potential “proposal that asks the State Government to remove the clothing optional status of Sunnyside Beach in Mount Eliza”.

One of Victoria’s three nude beaches is facing review. Picture by Wayne Taylor

Sunnyside is one of just three nudist beaches in Victoria, with both remaining beaches located in the Surf Coast Shire – “Nudies” at Point Impossible in Torquay and Southside Beach near Bells.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire vote split councillors, with Cr Steve Holland – who put forward the motion – claiming it was a “good opportunity” to review the beach’s ‘clothing optional’ designation.

Cr Antonella Celi spoke against the motion, suggesting it had “a predetermined skew specifically towards informing the council to request the removal of the clothing optional status as the only solution”.

Naturists could descend on the Surf Coast in greater numbers than ever. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

“I notice that the commentary [from council officers in associated reports and attachments] was not so much concerned about the clothing optional status or nude bathing lifestyle at the beach location, but the most common thread I sighted in the reports is more about the impact on the beach as a whole area due to anti-social, illegal and concerning lewd behaviour that is occurring in the carpark and within the foreshore vegetation,” Cr Celi said.

“Council reports and attachments cite no evidence the anti-social and lewd behaviours are exclusively linked to the clothing optional beach activities, or to the naturist population at this location.”

Surf Coast Shire councillors last week confirmed they were not currently considering copying their Mornington Peninsula colleagues, despite historic opposition to the shire’s pair of nudist beaches.

Winchelsea Ward councillor Heather Wellington said the council group would need to consider taking fresh action if nudists caused community concerns, and if a Mornington Peninsula decision impacted their beaches.

“[The nude beaches] don’t seem to be causing a community problem that I’m aware of at the moment, but if we’re going to end up with all of Victoria’s nudists, that might cause a problem,” Cr Wellington said.

“If the community is concerned about it, and if the Mornington Peninsula decision impacts us, we absolutely should look at [taking action].”

The Shire last year lodged a submission to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) draft Point Impossible to Jan Juc Master Plan, supporting a potential move of ‘Nudies’ further east to “avoid conflict between beach users”.

Originally published as Surf Coast nudist influx moves a step closer, following Mornington Peninsula Shire decision