For the local naturist community, the removal of the clothing-optional beach at Tyagarah has been devastating. The sense of loss and bewilderment among this community has taken a significant toll.
The all-inclusive, welcoming space that Tyagarah provided for so many people has been lost for no other reason than the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) stating that it was ‘against their values’.
Now, the NPWS is throwing its weight behind efforts to remove naturists from the unofficial clothing-optional beach at Kings Beach. This so-called ‘purification’ or ‘gentrification’ of the area, alongside a great deal of misinformation, has led to the end of a much-loved and cherished lifestyle for many. For the naturists, nudists, and skinny-dippers of the Byron Shire, as well as the many visitors who come here seeking the freedom to enjoy the beach in their natural state, this decision is simply unacceptable.
Byron Bay is home to a diverse community, with a coastline large enough to be enjoyed by everyone. We ask the Byron Shire Council to once again recognise the right of people to enjoy a section of our beautiful coastline for clothing-optional bathing. It is time to acknowledge the vital role this inclusive space plays in the health and well-being of many individuals, and to restore a safe and welcoming environment for all who wish to experience it.
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. 
