I am very concerned about the proposed revocation of legal clothing-optional beach use at Tyagarah. When I was last in Byron, I stayed at the Belongil Beach House, and enjoyed a float tank for the first time. Of course, I enjoyed sunbathing nude on Belongil Beach, steps away from that accommodation. It was quiet, but by no means isolated.
I have not been to Tyagarah, which I understand is very isolated and a further walk north from Belongil.
In 2017 one of your writers, Aslan Shand, wrote an article about naturism, and stated that the NSW Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) own the dunes and waters behind the beach. If that article is correct, that means they do not own the beach itself. It is a well accepted legal concept governments cannot legislate for and regulate land they do not own.
I wish to see the survey map NPWS says was recently made that is mentioned in the media. And I wish to see the Byron Shire survey map that must have been created when Byron Council decided to designate Tyagarah clothing-optional. The Byron community needs to see both of these public record maps immediately. NPWS and Byron Shire Council should post each on their respective sites.
It can be a separate discussion, including the entire community, to terminate clothing-optional use of Tyagarah by the shire due to bad behaviour by some, but unless there was a formal, legal land transfer of the beach itself from Council to NPWS, NPWS has no authority to terminate clothing-optional use of the beach.
Personally, I enjoyed nude use of Belongil and think that location was perfect. Having more people around than Tyagarah, and creating a dedicated seven days per week volunteer naturist beach ‘ambassador’ group to have eyes and ears on beach behaviour is, in my experience, a successful recipe for a safe, well-liked naturist beach.
Mr Richard Spacer, President, Kauai Naturists Kauai, Hawaii 2017 , commented on the inability of government one to regulate & legislate on land they do not own, in Australia unless the land is owned by Torrens Title by an individual or corporate entity it belongs to the government and particularly in Australia land up to and including the high water mark is owned by the government and or a statutory authority acting on it’s behalf, therfore ; NSW Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) own the dunes and waters behind the beach. If that article is correct, the government owns the beach . and the adjacent territorial waters.. In Australia It is not “a well accepted legal concept that government cannot legislate for and regulate land they do not own.( the Government has the Authority to acquire any land they choose provided due compensation is paid where necessary. don’t believe me try not paying your rates Mr Spacer, you are quite simply wrong and therefore cancelled!
Calm down Alan , I think it was a good article by Richard , good to get another point of view ,
I don’t support some of the lewd behavior that has been happening near Tyagarah beach , but why cancel the whole nude beach because of the bad actions of a few ?
Overseas many of the nude beaches are well run by locals who make sure that bad behavior is not tolerated . there is a respect for the environment and the people who use the beach.
Don’t worry Alan , I will pay my rates ( although in Byron it is just for an expensive bin collection service ) and I will keep enjoying my nude swim. Not yet ready for my life to be totally controlled by morons in council, NP and Government !!
Why can’t you people just keep your clothes on?