David Dixon, Byron Bay.
My partner and I spent several hours on Tyagarah clothing-optional beach on Boxing Day.
The atmosphere was relaxed and happy. In the middle of the day there were about 50 people there and the ratio of couples or small groups to single males was 3:1. Most people stayed for a couple of hours and frolicked in the waves, strolled, chatted, read, or basked in the sunshine.
We did not see any harassment, masturbation, or other sexual activity.
Meanwhile, north of Grays Lane looked empty so local residents now appear to have a mainstream beach that is safe and sublime at the end of their road.
Various councillors have described Tyagarah as ‘dangerous’, ‘dysfunctional’, and ‘unmanageable’ but, in our experience, this is hyperbolic. The Council safety trial has been transformative and, based on our observations, any residual problems are being drastically overstated.
We had another blissful day at Tyagarah and the same conditions prevailed on the weekend. We would be devastated if prohibition denied us, and countless others, this simple pleasure in the future.
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. 
