Clothing no longer optional at Campbells Cove as ‘fanatics’ strip bathers of nudist beach

UPDATE: PLANNING Minister Richard Wynne has been urged to take a naked stroll on a Melbourne nudist beach that is set to close.

Mia lapse up her last few nude swims. NUDISTS will be striped of their right to bare all at a popular beach in MelbourneÕs southwest. Clothing will no longer be optional at Campbells Cove in Werribee South after Planning Minister Richard Wynne revoke the right. Picture: Jason Edwards

PLANNING Minister Richard Wynne has been challenged to take a naked stroll on a Melbourne nudist beach that is set to close.

The Herald Sun revealed clothing will no longer be optional at one of Victoria’s four nudist beaches, Campbells Cove in Werribee South.

Leader of the Australian Sex Party Fiona Patten described the decision as political correctness gone mad and urged Mr Wynne to take a naked stroll with her.

“We live in a nanny state that is increasingly enforcing more and more rules and regulations on us and this decision is just another example of it,” Ms Patten said.

“There is nothing more beautiful and natural than the human body so what exactly is the Minister trying to protect people from?

“I invite Minister Wynne to accompany me to picturesque Campbell’s Cove or Sunnyside North on the Mornington Peninsula or to the gorgeous Point Impossible or Southside in Torquay to experience the freedom and enjoyment of nude bathing. Clearly he needs a day to clear out the cobwebs and get back to nature at its purest.”

PREVIOUSLY:

MINISTER ASKED TO STRIP CAMPBELL’S COVE NUDIST BEACH STATUS

CAMPBELL’S COVE COVER UP PLAN NOT YET A SUCCESS

Mr Wynne said earlier this morning he was not concerned about nude protests as a result of the decision.

“The City of Wyndham is the responsible authority at Campbells Cove and they will obviously will make sure their council officers patrol the area,” he told 3AW this morning.

Mr Wynne said Wyndham was the fastest growing municipality in Victoria, if not Australia, and was no longer “compatible” with a nude beach.

“There are 80 children born a week in Wyndham - that is four classrooms of children a week,” he said.

Mr Wynne said councils could approach the government with proposal for alternative locations for a nude beach.

Beaches at Sunnyside North on the Mornington Peninsula and Point Impossible and Southside at Torquay would remain as clothing optional areas.

From September, clothing must be worn at Campbells Cove.

Earlier, Mr Wynne said planning laws needed to keep pace with population growth and, in this case, the Nudity (Prescribed Areas) Act 1983.

He said the nearby boatsheds had become more widely used and there was not a separate carpark or changing facilities that could segregate nude bathers.

Nudists days are numbered at Campbells Cove in Werribee South. Picture: Jason Edwards

Wyndham City Council will have the task of ensuring that visitors keep their bathers on.

In July 2014, council voted unanimously for the change.

However, nudist leisure club Metro East lashed out at the “fanatics” for enforcing more rules on the public.

Group spokesman Phil, who asked for his surname not to be published, said every nudist beach had the same problem.

“There is always some a---hole that doesn’t want it there,” Phil said.

“In Torquay they’re trying to do the same thing. They’re just a group of people led by zealots.”

Phil said in the past Campbells Cove had gained a bad reputation after it was listed on a website for casual hook-ups.

The Werribee beach is just one of four official nude beaches in Victoria.

The others are at Sunnyside North on the Mornington Peninsula, and Point Impossible and Southside at Torquay.

There are alternative nude swimming options available in the Wyndham area, with Solar West conducting skinny-dipping nights at private and commercial pools throughout the year.

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