As mentioned in our June 2023 Noosa 360 update, concerns were expressed by residents that clothing optional beaches attract predators and increased lewd behaviour. Following this our office commissioned the Queensland Parliamentary Library and Research Service to find statistics from other states on the matter.
They were unable to find any empirical literature or data that links clothing optional beaches to lewd or offensive behaviour. However, during their investigations they did find the potential safety measures, listed below, that local governments could implement at designated locations should clothing optional beaches be legalised:
- Informed signage that clearly stipulates the designated clothes optional area.
- Media Strategies outlining this designated area.
- Enforcement/compliance in surrounding areas which aren’t clothing optional.
- Law abiding users of the designated clothing optional beach should be encouraged to contact police when inappropriate/lewd behaviour is occurring.
If anyone has data or research regarding, please share it with us via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
On the process for legalisation, per our August 2023 Noosa 360 update, the Queensland Minister for Police advised it is a matter for local governments, as to whether they wish to establish otherwise public areas as designated areas where lawful public nudity is permitted and to request the requisite legislative amendment to support this and outline how, if any, protective measures will work. Due to this, at the time we contacted Noosa Council to seek their views on a clothing optional beach in Noosa which we are yet to receive a response.
After the Local Government Elections in March 2024, we will write again regarding to the newly elected Noosa Mayor.
Further information
For those from outside of the Noosa Electorate or Noosa Shire Council boundaries, please contact your local Councillors or MP should you wish to pursue this option in your location. If you are unsure which electorate or council area you live in, you can search at www.ecq.qld.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/where-is-my-electorate.
To contact the Noosa Council Mayor and Councillors, please find their information at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/927/contact-list-councillors
To contact the relevant Queensland Ministers regarding, please consider emailing the following:
- Minister for Police – police@ministerial.qld.gov.au
- Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning – housing@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Please copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on Clothing Optional Beaches, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Clothing+Optional+Beaches