Tent owners deny camping at Geelong’s Eastern Beach, but council’s intent is to fine those in tents

Large campsites have emerged at Eastern Beach at the weekend, fuelling suspicions tents are once again being placed at the site illegally. But tent owners say they’re just turning up in the early hours to claim the best spot.

Overnight campers will be slugged with fines and kicked out of Geelong’s Eastern Beach this summer, the city council has promised.

But the City of Greater Geelong will have to prove they squatted through the night.

A number of large groups were at Eastern Beach on Sunday, but denied they were camping, telling council officers they arrived early in the morning to secure their site for a picturesque day-long picnic.

One group surrounded a public barbecue, taking up a patch of grass at least 50m wide, in seemingly a repeat of suspected illegal camping at the site last summer.

The group had three of its own freestanding cookers operating near the barbecues, at least five small camping tents and four larger marquees as well as up to a dozen trestle tables, chairs and rugs laid out.

Possible illegal campers set up again at Eastern Beach over the weekend. Picture: Alan Barber

Witnesses estimated there was close to 40 people in the group.

An official in a fluoro vest approached the party midmorning before taking photos of camp.

City of Greater Geelong director Gareth Smith said no fines were issued.

“City officers have confirmed that while there are some big groups gathered at Eastern Beach today, these groups have arrived and set up there since very early this morning,” Mr Smith said.

“The fact is that camping overnight at Eastern Beach is illegal.

Possible illegal campers set up again at Eastern Beach over the weekend. Picture: Alan Barber

“We will continue to ensure the area is monitored and take swift action to have people moved on, if and when this may be required, and work with Victoria Police as necessary.”

CoGG cracked down on camping at Eastern Beach last summer after the precinct was filled with tents during the most popular holiday weekends in January.

Anyone caught camping there could be fined about $300, but when the Geelong Advertiser visited on Sunday it could not find any signage to say camping was outlawed.

Jenny Clark, a regular early-morning swimmer at the sea baths urged council to take the issue seriously.

“It’s a big problem,” she said.

“I don’t blame people for camping there; it’s beautiful, and there’s nothing telling them not to do it. These people might not even know it is illegal.

“The council is tougher on people walking their dogs at Eastern Beach than it is on people from out of town who come down and set a camp site for the weekend.”

Ms Clark said Eastern Beach was one of the world’s great public beach facilities for swimmers and picnickers, but was not equipped for campers, and its facilities were under stress.

Possible illegal campers set up again at Eastern Beach over the weekend. Picture: Alan Barber

Other visitors said some groups were hijacking public facilities, such as barbecues, for a full day rather than moving on once their meal was cooked.

Mr Smith said CoGG staff would monitor the area in coming weeks.

“Eastern Beach is among Geelong’s most iconic destinations and we are committed to ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy it in a COVID-safe way over the summer months,” he said.

“We know that after months and months of not being able to see family and friends a trip to Eastern Beach is a fantastic day out.

“But we urge everyone to keep in mind that there is no overnight camping permitted there and to do the right thing. This will allow everyone to enjoy this wonderful part of our city.”

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Originally published as Tent owners deny camping at Geelong’s Eastern Beach, but council’s intent is to fine those in tents