New zero-tolerance for illegal camping in Rainbow Beach
Following growing community frustration in Rainbow Beach, Gympie Regional Council is taking a zero-tolerance stance to illegal camping.
From April 2025, council will install new ‘11pm – 4am No Parking’ signage along Griffith Esplanade, Rainbow Beach, a known hotspot for illegal campers. Rangers will commence enforcement via illegal parking patrols in early June 2025, with an initial focus on education to allow the public time to adapt to the changes. These patrols will be carried out in conjunction with Queensland Police.
This change was triggered by increasing community concern for the mess and health hazards left by the illegal campers. In the previous two years, Council received in excess of 350 complaints about illegal camping, with the highest percentage of those complaints coming from Rainbow Beach.
Gympie Regional Council Divisional 1 Councillor, Jess Milne states the impact to residents and tourists enjoying the space and reflects on the support received from QPS.
“Residents are frustrated at the mess and the monopolisation of carpark spaces. We’ve had reports of antisocial behaviour, camper’s toileting on the beach and disposing of greywater and excess rubbish in our parks. This not only creates an unsafe environment for our community but also tarnishes the natural beauty of Rainbow Beach,
“We have several fantastic and legal camping options in Rainbow Beach, hardworking businesses who rely on tourism and would be happy to accommodate campers. Councils’ carparks aren’t for camping it’s as simple as that.
“Illegal camping along Griffith Esplanade has been a serious problem for some time and we’d like to thank the community for their patience while council tackles this issue. I’d also like to acknowledge the ongoing support from QPS,” Cllr Milne said.
Gympie Regional Council Director of Community Sustainability, Alex Stengl outlines councils’ approach.
“Our previous tactic wasn’t working, councils’ rangers would patrol Griffith Esplanade on an adhoc basis and move on campers, providing them with local camping alternatives. The people illegally camping are backpackers and grey nomads; you move one on and another takes their place.
“This new approach will focus on education initially before moving to warnings and fines. We will review the success of this program considering factors such as number of illegal campers, fines issued and community feedback,
“People in genuine housing need are not the targets of this enforcement program, where council does identify a person in need Officers are trained to connected them with support services,” Ms Stengl said.
Council previously had ‘no camping’ signage along the esplanade, but it wasn’t effectively deterring overnight camping. The new signage in addition to joint Gympie Regional Council and Queensland Police Services (QPS) patrols will curb the camping appeal in the area.