Magistrate draws line in sand over nude bathing

8:00a.m. 12th July 2006

By RAE WILSON

LEGALISED nude sunbaking on Sunshine Coast beaches is still a long way off after a test case failed to set a precedent.

But nude sunbaker Kenneth Wenzel is considering appealing his conviction for wilful exposure at Third Bay beach at Coolum in July last year.

The 75-year-old was fined $75 after a summary trial in Maroochydore Magistrates Court where he pleaded not guilty because he believed there had been a change in legislation allowing him to sunbake naked with a reasonable excuse.

Mr Wenzel, who has used the unofficial nude beach at Third Bay for 30-odd years, said police had ignored nude bathers at Third Bay and Alexandria Bay, near Noosa, for 25 years.

But after thorough research Acting Magistrate Peter Hasted found Mr Wenzel guilty without a reasonable excuse.

Im a bit disgusted really, Mr Wenzel said outside court.

Theyll give dogs a beach but not naturists.

Free Beaches Association vice-president Anita Grieg, who lives at Coolum, said she would continue to fight for signed nude beaches.