Your say on plans to limit camping numbers on Teewah, Double Island Point

It was once one of the most pristine stretches of beach, but it’s being trampled by ‘ferals’ and hoons with some treating it like a human toilet. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

It was once one of the most pristine stretches of beach along the Queensland coastline.

A haven for families, campers, fishers and nature lovers.

But the Cooloola stretch from Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach is being trampled by ‘ferals’, hoons, and people who think nothing of treating it like a human toilet, literally.

With more than 100,000 vehicles using the area a year, authorities are now suggesting a cap on daily visitor and camping numbers.

Some of our readers believe it couldn’t come soon enough.

Others say it is the nanny state gone mad.

“Been a playground for ferals for the last 15 years,’’ wrote David – another one.

“Cap the camping first, do it like Bribie with designated sites if they have to (I know I know really hard to book a site and you have to do it months in advance), but only a cap to start with, and if that does not work then bring in the vehicle restrictions.

“Most of the ferals go there for one night, lots of drinking, no campsite to speak of, lots of noise/boom-boxes, burnouts etc. If they could not stay the night it would be a different story.”

4wd vehicles negotiate the Mudlo Rocks at Rainbow Beach.

Others like Diana want to see greater police action on beaches and tougher penalties by the courts.

“My beautiful grandson was killed on Bribie Beach 30/5/21 The driver was doing 90km/h Harry was thrown 10 metres. The driver got nine months. His driving record was disgusting Harry’s 21st is 8/5/2024 this week. Police do their job. Judges need to step up.”

WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

The European

Ah, the great outdoors! It’s become a dump full of hoons. Logan is now more attractive than that beach.

Just do it soon

Permits will go to $1000. Only CFMEU “workers” will be able to afford it in their brand new 4wds

Ted

Nanny state at it again

Leanne

@Ted it’s nothing to do with being a nanny state. It’s about protecting the environment. The amount of vehicles on the beaches is just destroying the beach and sand dunes. Capping numbers is not a bad idea. Might help to limit the amount of bogans and idiots who have no respect for the beach environment.

Reject Ed

30 or 40 miles of beach being used as a toilet by 1,000s of people every weekend. Watch where you step!

4WD tyres marks on Rainbow Beach. Photo Craig Warhurst/The Gympie Times

Jackie

We used to go for weeks on end and not see another car. Didn’t even have a 4WD, just an old falcon station wagon, unregistered, which we kept at an old blokes’ place on the track off the ferry, as did a few others. The picture in the article made me so sad. I’ve not been there for 15 years or more, and will certainly never go now. There’s no way the beach can take the invasion it’s subjected to nowadays.

Neville

The fun police and the nanny state strikes again

Susan M

So the idiots should be allowed free rein?

Layne

What is going to happen when they shut down Fraser Island and Inskip Point. Look between the sheets, it’s on the cards planed by Bureaucratic Government Staff who wouldn’t know the difference between a Dip Stick and High Tide

Coastguy

Australia is one big beach. The biggest selling vehicles are 4WD. Mother Nature always repairs itself.

A lot of business depend on the beach driving 4WD crowd. Leave them be.

4Wds pour onto the Noosa North Shore from the barge. Photo by Geoff Potter

Bruce M

Nature is doing great. Are we all supposed to live in concrete jungles and look at photos of these sorts of areas? I’m all for managing things but not for removing them from the lives of most Australians, regardless of whether they ever go there.

Jeanne

Should have happened years ago but never will.....Q’land Govt want all the vehicles they can get so they can get the permit money from every vehicle.....and of course the cash poor Noosa Council just want more and more to get the money from every vehicle that crosses the river each way......and have allowed this ridiculous ferry which will open soon with nearly 30 vehicles on each crossing. Years ago only a six car ferry was allowed by the then council to limit the number of vehicles going over!!!

David

It’s become a tip and a death trap. It needs to be closed down for 6 months of the year and then opened with restricted numbers to access. One access per year per rego unless u are a tour operator.

Clemens

Sorry, but 4WDs on delicate and fragile beach environments has always been anathema to me and an abomination. Get rid of them so people can peacefully walk, bask, and swim on the beach without having to dodge these monstrosities.

In 2008, Rainbow Beach residents called on 4WD enthusiasts outraged at the governments proposed beach closures and fees to join them in a protest convoy – the convoy drove from Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point and back. Photo: Craig Warhurst / Gympie Times

Scott Prasser

Ban P platers for a start and it’s about time the council put toilets blocks up there. The revenue they would be earning since implementing the permit system could have paid for 6 toilet blocks by now.

Bernard Mitchell

Bring in a permit system and cap the number of vehicles on the beach. At busy times of the year like Christmas, Easter and school holidays there might have to be a ballot for use of the beach and camping area. This way people can still get to experience the great things this area has to offer while giving nature a chance to recover from over use.

Gail Watson

I was there a few weeks and it was like a freeway, I don't know how someone hasn't been hit by a car with the way some drive.

Jackson Goodchild

When you take away all the alternatives of course you’re going to get a crowd.

Originally published as Your say on plans to limit camping numbers on Teewah, Double Island Point