Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Shire Council.
Nude ain’t rude – but unwanted sexual advances definitely are.
I’d just like to say a huge thank you to all the people who emailed, called, wrote letters or turned up at the council chambers to let councillors know how they felt about nude bathing and the recent spate of incidents at Tyagarah.
It was a difficult but necessary debate but I think the mayor summed it up well when he said that between the protection of two freedoms, that of being able to swim naked and not having to suffer sexual harassment at the beach, the latter trumps the former hands down.
None of the councillors object to nudity and I don’t believe anything will change for those who discreetly slip of their dacks and go for a skinny dip. They are no threat to anyone.
Those who abuse the privilege of a secluded nude beach to prey on unsuspecting beach goers, you are on notice. The stricter controls at Tyagarah, with signage within two weeks that will clearly stipulate the 800 metres, 200 metres to the south of the Grays Lane beach access , are a trial.
I would encourage people to let police know immediately of any predatory or threatening behaviour they encounter, there or at any other beach.
Let’s reclaim a sense of safety on our shores.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
