Leon Namai, Proper Good Vibes launches GoFundMe to reopen Cameron’s Pocket Swimming Hole

After blocking a gate leading to a public swimming hole in Queensland, a First Nations company which isn’t backed by the native title holders is asking the public for more than $400k for upgrades to safeguard the site.

Proper Good Vibes have launched a GoFundMe to raise $440k for upgrades to the facilities at Cameron's Pocket Swimming Hole. Picture: Proper Good Vibes.

A newly-registered company owned by man with family connections in the Torres Strait is now asking the public to fork out thousands after closing off access to a public swimming hole in north Queensland over claims of littering, pollution and environmental destruction.

Leon Namai is the sole director for Proper Good Vibes — registered on October 9 — which shut access to Cameron’s Pocket Swimming Hole near Mackay earlier in November.

He is a First Nations man with family connections in the Torres Strait and Far North, according to an Instagram post from Mackay art gallery Artspace, and his artist residency bio with Mackay Regional Council.

Mr Namai undertook an artist's residency in July 9 with the Mackay Regional Council as part of Naidoc Week 2024.

Mackay council has warned the group the gate on public access land must be opened by today, Monday November 11, which has been complied with.

To access the swimming hole, people need to navigate public land and private property.

On Friday, November 10, Proper Good Vibes launched a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $440,000 to install the upgrades it says are required to reopen the swimming hole safely to the public.

So far it has raised $100.

A sign with an Aboriginal flag has been placed on Brodies Rd, which leads to the waterhole, declaring “access through temporarily closed … due to the high volume of people abusing the natural surrounds, contaminating the water, vandalism, theft and overcrowding issues”. Picture: Supplied

Proper Good Vibes has also said the Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation — the local registered native title group — was not involved in the decision to close the gate.

“We have requested their endorsement not just regarding this but also our future plans moving forward, unfortunately this all got taken out of context and control so fast that there was no time to meet and sit together to build a relationship,” Proper Good Vibes has said.

The swimming hole is a recreational reserve accessed by public road which the company has said has been the victim of “repeated incidents of vandalism, pollution and littering” from high visitor traffic.

“To address these concerns and safeguard this precious site, we are asking for the public’s support in raising $444,000 to implement crucial upgrades that will preserve the area while allowing for safe and respectful enjoyment of its beauty.”

Proper Good Vibes also listed threats to goanna’s and longneck turtles at the site, which one resident refuted and said “we don’t have longneck turtles”. Picture: Adams Bee

Proper Good Vibes said it plans to use these funds to install public toilets, waste removal, construct a carpark and constantly monitor the human impact to the surrounding environment.

It said the swimming hole was, at times, receiving more than 100 people per day and proper waste facilities, along with a walking track were necessary to prevent pollution and environmental impact, and address cultural needs.

“Until we secure permission and funding to install these facilities, we respectfully ask the public to avoid traveling to the site to prevent further strain on this delicate environment.”

The public Brodies Rd access Cameron’s Pocket Swimming Hole, which is a recreational reserve.

Proper Good Vibes said the efforts were focused on restoring “respectful, safe public access to Cameron’s Pocket” and was attempting to collaborate with council, as well as Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources.

“Until we secure permission and funding to install these facilities, we respectfully ask the public to avoid travelling to the site to prevent further strain on this delicate environment,” they said.

Mackay resident Jess Sutton posted to the Mackay Noticeboard Facebook group informing members of the public they can still access the swimming hole by walking from the shut gate.

She said claims of finding 126 diapers, 57 sanitary pads, dead goanna and longneck turtle were “a load of lies”.

“We don’t even have long neck turtles in this creek,” Ms Sutton said.

Proper Good Vibes has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Leon Namai, Proper Good Vibes launches GoFundMe to reopen Cameron’s Pocket Swimming Hole