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10:51AM Wednesday 03 December, 2008

Mudjimba says no to nudist beach

12:00a.m. 22nd July 2008

| By Kerryn Manifold

Mudjimba says no to nudist beach

Flynn Embery and mum Shannon on Mudjimba beach, near where nudists would like a "clothes-optional" area. Photo: Chris McCormack/177150b

Nudists are still considering asking the state government to establish Queensland’s first “clothing optional” beach just a few hundred metres from where this photograph was taken at Mudjimba yesterday.

Shannon Embery and her three-year-old son, Flynn, walk the beach at least once a week and Ms Embery said she didn’t think it was an appropriate place for a nudist beach.

The young mum believes a better option would be Alexandria Bay, which was also favoured by readers who answered a poll on thedaily.com.au last week.

Poll: Where should the nudist beach go?

This poll has closed. See the results.

Freebeach Australia vice-president Mark Hayter claimed yesterday that Sunshine Coast councillor Debbie Blumel had it wrong last week when she said the community was ready to rally against the idea.

Mr Hayter said locals and businesses would support the idea because the annual Nude Olympics would attract 1500 visitors who would spend big.

However, all business people spoken to by the Daily feared a nudist beach would damage Mudjimba’s family-friendly image.

Novotel Twinwaters sales director Judy Holland said a nudist beach would not help the resort attract visitors.

“Given we’re a family resort and the downturn in the tourist industry, a nudist beach is the last thing we need,” Ms Holland said.

She said if a nudist beach were established, it would generate negative publicity for the area, which could hurt the local economy.

North Shore Realty owner Jay Pashley said support for the proposal was limited to Freebeach members and the community resisted the idea.

“There won’t be a significant boost for business,” Mr Pashley said.

“(Freebeach members) have managed to live with it at Third Bay and Alexandria Bay and they don’t need to change that.”

Mudjimba News owner Jenny Parsons agreed the local beach had become a family favourite.

“I’m not a prude but they can do it in their own areas,” Ms Parsons said.

“We’ve got a great family beach. Why turn that around?”

Freebeach president Anita Grigg said Mudjimba was more accessible than Alexandria Bay and nudists wanted to use an isolated stretch of the beach.

Ms Grigg said Alexandria Bay was still being considered.

She said people attending the Nude Olympics would also use tourist services at other parts of the Coast.

Mayor Bob Abbot is yet to ask councillors if they would recommend the state government moves to allow nude beaches in Queensland.

Sunshine Coast nudist beach

> Nude beach for Mudjimba or A-Bay?
> Nudists spin the bottle for clothes-optional beach
> Nude Ken scores a win in court
> We want our own official beach: nudists
> Nude's not rude, says Freebeach group
> Anti-nude beach petition going to council

Recent Comments

Add a comment
Posted by golfito from pacific paradise
on 22 July, 2008 at 5:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
A community comprises a lot more than just "business" people, yet this group seems to be given a much greater say in local affairs than any other. Why, is it just because they are easier for the media to talk to during working hours?
If you want a genuine opinion canvas households outside of working hours then any views can truly be said to represent all the people. This habit of consulting "business"only is just another example of a country run by vocal minorities with vested interests.
Posted by ben18318 from warana
on 22 July, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Got to agree with golfito the opinion of business has been given to high a priority in recent history. An opinion shared by the local community if you read the results of the recent council elections.
Posted by BigTiny from Wondai
on 22 July, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mudjimba lost its family friendly image with the arrival of Twin Waters. Just how many businesses are we talking about here ? Seriously? A buck is a buck, put rules out front about having to be appropriately dressed to enter and YOU guys would not know the difference.
Posted by sav77 from Currumundi
on 22 July, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
So Shannon walks the beach at least once a week, I dare say most of the nudist visiting the beach, would be getting more use of it, than at least once a week
Posted by Jewel from Maroochydore
on 22 July, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I cant understand the hoo har over this nude beach. Mudjimba beach stretches for 1000's of metres, surely there is room for nudists in there somewhere. If you dont want to see them dont walk down that way, its as simple as that!!
Get with the times Queensland.
Posted by sarababe from north jones
on 22 July, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
There is a difference in nudism or naturalism and pornography. Nudism believes in the freedom from the restrictions of clothing, Porn is for sexual gratification. What is wrong with sunbathing, swimming or gardening with no clothes on if you want to. You are after all not showing anything which could not be imagined or is not natural. Being without clothes is relaxing, liberating and only offensive if overtly sexual. There is a growing point of view that people should be allowed to clothes free on the beaches, in the pool, their own gardens and in secluded areas within parks and the countryside. In more open societies where nudity is regarded simply as an alternative mode of dress there are fewer sexual problems and far fewer unwanted pregnancies. If you find nudity offensive for its own sake, ask yourself WHY. Naturists look like you and I and come from all walks of life. You will find it to be a relaxing lifestyle that is free of the daily stress we all experience.
Posted by Lynton from twin waters
on 22 July, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mudjimba Beach is about 5 mins drive from Twin Waters and you certainly wouldn't be bothered to try and walk it so what an earth does that have on reflection that Mudjimba Beach has lost its family friendly image ...I don't think so? Mudjimba beach is represented by a very small resident population beachside of the David Low Way, so when a discussion paper views that very few in numbers in Mudjimba objected to a nudist beach in this area is how the statistics can be moulded to suit a required outcome by the nudists. Having said that I lived previously in Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula which had a very controversial nudist Beach officiated within 5 mins drive of where I lived. Apart from the argument of not in my back yard and the family beach environment not being favoured by the so called majority users the beach 10 years on no-one lifts an eye lid or worries about the fact that the nudist beach is even there so we learn to live with it. However I do not favour it to be in Mudjimba in a developing surburban sprawl where the increasing use of the beach is continually growing and the nudist are putting their stamp on it before the population has developed enough to claim it as family friendly. I would also note that between Coolum and Marcus Beach many times I have walked along the stretch to be confronted by both topless and bottomless swimmers but at the end of the day the coastline is larger enough for one to choose what type of beach going people and location they feel comfortable to swim amongst
Posted by Phil_Surfmore from Alex
on 22 July, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
While not a nudist anymore, but I would have to agree with this idea. I wonder, though, if we can give it a trial run and see how it works out.
As for Novotel maybe they can provide a nude section at the resort or use one their restaurants for CO dining (but don't order soup or stand to close to the hot buffet).
I did try nude surfing many years ago at Double Is. Pt. as we were the only ones there but soon found out that you need more than a wax comb to remove the wax.
Posted by ontrack from twin waters
on 22 July, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The local residents along this stretch of coast will oppose this most vocally as this area is a very family friendly spot. Those supporting this place as a nudist area have no understanding of the community interests or its values in this village area. I am sure that there will be a major protest in Mudjimba soon.

Someone elsewhere suggested the top half of Bribie Island. Every rule on stakeholder consultation best practice has been broken. You will not win this one. I suggest you read the letters to the editor in todays edition.
Posted by vanga from caloundra
on 22 July, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
NIMBYs I'm one and proud of it. LOL. (words taken and adjusted from Denis Learys famous song)

Cut out the state/council bull and go straight to the nearest national park - Bribie - at the northern seaward tip. Then the problem is a federal one.

It's not accessable by car or easily by foot so there's no chance of anyone stumbling over nudists. To get there you need to make a lot of decisions and if you know its a nudists' area there's no excuse about being shocked at what you find there.

There are no back yards so the NIMBYs will have nothing to scream about.

The perfect spot - - Oh - and there are life guards just minutes away at Kings and Bullcock beaches - just in case any of the nudists get a bit cocky about their surfing skills....
Posted by nazdav from buderim
on 22 July, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't understand all the hoo haa about nudity! If there had been a nude beach that close, instead of Noosa, I would've taken my kids there from a young age. Why would I be bothered by them seeing people naked for goodness sakes?
Posted by bellsmith
on 22 July, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I will tell my friends on AUSNUDISTS. com this article, they would be interested in. There are many nudists from AU.
Posted by JonnoMac from Caloundra
on 22 July, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
All Australian beaches are free beaches. Free to all Australians and visitors to walk along as far as they want without seeing these deviants parading themselves. If they want to do this type of thing they should go buy themselves an island somewhere, (Antartica)? well out of sight of everybody else who wants to enjoy our beautiful beaches..
Posted by bendigonudey from Bendigo
on 22 July, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
As all who have had any involvement with genuine nudists know, we are the same as the rest of you - just without clothes.

If there is an area on this beach that is a little remote, why not let it be used as a clothing optional area - it is far safer for all users, and to control the presence of non-nudist pervs, if the beaches are easily accessible and therefore patrolable by lifeguards, police, etc

(And for those who don't think nudists should get "special treatment", remember that there are many "dog beaches" along the coast, and nudists pay at least as much tax as dog-owners!
Posted by malcolm_boura from UK
on 23 July, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The positive economic effects of naturist beaches can be dramatic. Try looking up what happened when a naturist beach was created at Bredene in Belgium. It attracted enormous numbers of visitors and it reached the point where the beach was declared full. The naturist area was extended and lifeguards and other facilities were provided.

In Wales traders at a town a little way down the coast from Morfa Dyffryn demanded a local naturist beach to attract trade to their area as well.
Posted by Adkins from Moffat Beach
on 23 July, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with this idea. Why discriminate against someone's beliefs? (nudism/naturalism). These people are not physically different to any other person.

To all the Mothers and Fathers 'scared' about what their children will see, have you got in internet conection at home? do you monitor your childs access? you would be shocked at what a simple google or yahoo search can turn up.

I hope this gives you all something to think about.
Posted by marsketa from Coolum Beach
on 24 July, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The photo of the pregnant woman and the 3yo boy pictured in the Daily was taken a LONG way from where the proposed clothes otpional beach would be so the lad is unlikely to be able to walk that far south. But even if he did, he would probably not be phased by nude people. It is the parents who have the problems with it. Nudity at clothes optional beaches is not sexual. Having said that, if a CO beach is made legal at Mudjimba then my daughter and son-in law can bring my grandchild there for a picnic with her Nanna (me). You can't get a more family beach than that! If my daughter and her family decide to stay at the Novetel then their money will be as good as any other family staying there. And if we go to the Mudjimba newsagent afterwards (clothed of course) then I'm sure Jenny won't knock back our money for a paper and magazine. I'm sure the local snackbar will be happy to sell us a drink and an icecream or a burger as well. Nudists are just ordinary people who happen to believe that the most comfortable and natural attire at the beach is "au natural". And before anybody starts, we have our sunblock and are very aware of the dangers of excess sun. Going nude today at a designated beach is no different than the first woman to wear a bikini at the beach 60 years ago or the first man to wear no top wilst swimming before that. Nudists certainly are NOT perverts or deviants. We are not exhibitionists.
Posted by sarababe from north jones
on 4 August, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To me, being nude is being the same person but in a sensually charged ambience that is very pleasurable. Indeed I prefer being with my family and other sociable mixed gender naturists in clubs and resorts for all of our recreation or relaxation. My personal best was three weeks vacation at a resort in France, with everything except sandals put away for the entire duration. The strangeness of shirt and shorts to depart there was almost as strange as becoming a naturist many years before.

As regards sex-life; being nude together promotes an appreciation of the pleasure that can be given one to another. At your first naturist experience, you may feel apprehensive and worried that people will be staring at you. But a visit to naturistmingle.com is much different than you would experience anywhere else. At there, you will not find people trying to undress you with their eyes, from afar or near, because there is nothing left for the imagination to remove. You will not find people throwing outdated, lewd or offensive pickup lines at you.

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