Three Sydneysiders have been fined a total of more than $4,000 for street camping in Byron Bay.
The case was heard in the Mullumbimby Local Court last week.
Byron Shire Council’s manager governance Ralph James said the fines sent a strong deterrent message to potential street campers.
‘Council spends significant resources in regulating street camping to protect the amenity for locals and encouraging campers to book into a caravan park and not use the Shire’s streets,’ Mr James said.
He said that at about 3am on a weekday in April this year, council officers visited a car parking site in the residential area of Cavvanbah Street, Byron Bay.
‘The officers woke up the occupants of a hired removal trailer who offered no explanation as to why they were camping in the area, or express remorse for camping or littering.
‘An abundance of rubbish was strewn around the immediate vicinity of the trailer. The rubbish strewn across the ground included bottles, plastic, cans, cardboard and other domestic waste,’ Mr James said.
A ‘No Camping’ sign located on the verge of Cavvanbah Street was about 50 metres east of the location of the trailer.
‘Given the nature of the camping, the litter and the flagrant breach of council signage, the three campers were issued court attendance notices which were dealt with by the court yesterday,’ he said.
Two people received penalties of $1,300 and a third person $1,650.
Mr James said the differing amounts were due to two of the people indicating that they would plead guilty prior to going to court.
I’ve never understood why people go to a beautiful place and then mess it up with their rubbish. Would they like the same to be done to the street where they live in Sydney? Keep up the good work with the patrols and fines.
Couldn’t agree more with Linda. Too many people come to Byron and trash it. Van packers at Belongil shitting in the dunes is another frequent occurrence and so revolting. Tourists like these we do not need.