David Gilet, Byron Bay
The best option for a nude beach was actually made by Jenny Coman when she was on Council, that it be located somewhere between The Wreck and the mouth of the Belongil Creek.
Actually it functioned that way for a year or so. In about ’96 or ’97 the beach was severely eroded, to the extent that neither police or rangers could get their vehicles down onto the beach. Many people took advantage of the situation to get their gear off.
There were old hippies, young ferals and ordinary families – both clothed and unclothed. Everybody seemed to be able to share the beach without conflict.
The advantage of this location is that it is a relatively open, providing little opportunity for surreptitious and covert activity.
David, Thank you for your suggestion but with all facts taken into consideration over 2 years of Safe Beaches Committee.
Tyagarah and Belongil Beach (North of Bayshore Drive) do appear to be the best and only option if one is to consider safety for CO Beach users and in consultation with NPWS,
a buffer Zone of 200 metres north of Public Access Path Bayshore Drive.
At the moment there is 1.5km of easily accessible beach which no one, absolutely no one is now using. If one was to promote a safe clothing optional beach then surely extending the current Tyagarah Clothing Optional Beach 1.3km allowing for a 200metre buffer zone north would be the ideal solution.
I was very much surprised to learn only months ago this was in fact the ‘Legally Designated Clothing Optional Beach’ legally designated by Byron Shire Council in 1998 which to date had not been officially de-Designated.
Debra Conomy
Byron Naturists Incorporated
The designation of any particular beach in NSW for nude bathing can be so designated by the Local Government Minister under the Local Government Amendment (Nude Bathing) Act 1996 No 133. However the Minister has designated only five beaches in the State, so far. Taking the matter to the Minister and out of the hands of Council might be the solution to the impasse.