Nude trial a success 

Guy Fisher, Main Arm

I am a naturist who goes to Tyagarah beach on a regular basis and I believe that the trial of the 800-metre clothing-optional beach South of Grays lane has been an enormous success. This has been accomplished by the positive combined efforts of Byron Shire Council and National Parks erecting signs, and Byron Police and members of the naturist community doing regular patrols.

The fact is that there have been very few fines issued in the 800-metre official section. Most have been issued for being naked outside the official clothing-optional beach. The incidents of sex pests and other lewd behaviour are very rare now. These pests have clearly got the message that they are no longer welcome on Tyagarah and will be arrested and fined if they are caught.

Even a local resident, who started the campaign to clean up the beach, stated in 10 February 2018 Northern Star interview, ‘We feel the change is enormous… It just feels completely different… It’s a really nice vibe.’

If you go on a weekend you will see primarily couples and sometimes families with young kids all setting up with tents or umbrellas down the beach enjoying being able to be naked on the only legal clothing-optional beach from the top of Queensland to Coffs Harbour. Naturists are coming from all over Australia and the world to enjoy this beautiful beach.

So why are some of the local residents still asking Council to make it no longer clothing optional when they still can enjoy the 3+ kilometres clothing section of Tyagarah North of Grays Lane given to them by Council? The fact is that more than 90 per cent of visitors to Tyagarah are naturists. Could it possibly be that if Council does close it down residents would essentially have their own private beach to themselves and a lot less traffic, dust and wear on their road?