Camping illegally in Byron could be costly

Published on 21 December 2020

People who are thinking about coming to the Byron Shire for a holiday and plan on sleeping in their car or camping in the street are warned that they will risk being fined.

Illegal camping is a continual problem in the Byron Shire and Council will have staff rostered on seven days a week, from very early to very late, issuing fines wherever possible.

“The community has absolutely no tolerance for people pulling up in their streets, cooking on their footpaths and going to the toilet in their gardens,” Deputy Mayor, Michael Lyon said.

“Similarly Council has zero tolerance for illegal camping, nor for people deciding to park in our beach carparks or nature reserves for the night,” he said.

“There are camping areas in Byron Bay and around the Shire that are relatively inexpensive and I urge people to use these rather than think they can get a free night or two by pulling up wherever they like,” Deputy Mayor Lyon said.

Council uses number plate recognition technology that records the number plates of people’s cars and tickets will be issued automatically.

“The first many people will know about a fine will be when they receive it in the mail or when they return their hired camper,” Deputy Mayor Lyon said.

“As a Council we make no apology for taking a hard line with illegal camping because their contribution to our Shire and our community is minimal,” he said.

Council’s Enforcement Team will also be patrolling at Broken Head, especially on Seven Mile Beach Road which takes in the Broken Head Nature Reserve and the Kings Beach, Whites Beach, Brays Beach and Seven Mile Beach areas.

Other illegal camping hotspots at Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby will also be the focus for patrols over the holiday period.

For media enquiries contact Byron Shire Deputy Mayor, Michael Lyon, on 0435 646 365.