- Sub Main Menu
- sunshine coast
- noosa
- coolum
- national
- world
Mostly sunny min 17° - max 25° A nude beach for the Coast?
12:00a.m. 7th May 2008
Freebeach Australia wants a dedicated clothing-optional beach on the Sunshine Coast.
Nude bathing may soon be as legal on some Coast beaches as letting your dog run off-leash across the sand.
Freebeach Australia yesterday handed a submission to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to have a dedicated clothing optional beach made available for locals and tourists.
Freebeach vice president Mark Hayter delivered the six-page proposal to the council’s Nambour offices yesterday.
The organisation proposes four sites in the submission, including part of a beach at Mudjimba which is backed by wetlands and a stretch of beach north of Stumers Creek in Coolum.
Members also suggest what they call the Coast’s unofficial nude beaches at Third Bay in Coolum and Alexandria Bay at Noosa.
Alexandria Bay would be a last resort because of problems accessing the site.
Nude bathing is outlawed in Queensland under the Summary Offences Act 2005 but the government has committed to reconsidering the law if a local council were to ask it to do so.
According to Freebeach, having a clothing optional beach would meet the needs of residents, increase tourism and help ensuring the surf safety of nude bathers.
Mr Hayter said one beach would be enough to satisfy the group.
He said tourists would flock to the area to visit a nude beach if it could be established.
“There are thousands of nudists living here on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Hayter said.
“We feel that while the needs of other minority groups have been accommodated, nudists have been systematically driven out of any unofficial beaches where we have attempted to bathe nude.
The group hopes to meet with Sunshine Coast Mayor Bob Abbot to discuss the proposed sites but have not been told he is not available for an appointment for at least two months.
“We’re hoping we can meet earlier than that because it’s just dragging on,” Mr Hayter said.
Mr Abbot has previously said any decision about a nudist beach would need to be made by the whole council.
Related stories:
> We want our own official beach: nudists
> Nude Ken scores a win in court
> Sunshine Coast nudist takes battle to court
> Magistrate draws line in sand over nude bathing
Recent Comments
What's the difference ? Pot is against the law - just like nude bathing. There are definitely more dope smokers than nudists - so that is less of a 'minority', which should mean they have greater clout. They claim their like-minded group are peaceful and otherwise law abiding too. They'd claim that legalising it and giving them a restricted area would reduce the incidence of the offence, so why not ?
All of the same arguments could be used for both groups - yet I suspect a push for a dope-friendly beach would not generate much support ? Did any of the FBA members like or support the idea when you first read it ? (ie before realising your hypocrisy)
I don't sunbake nude but I don't have a problem.
different strokes for different folks.
My-2-cents if you have nothing good to say don't say anything.
keep smoking your dope at home and leave nudist alone.
Nudism harms no-one, and if you're offended, don;t look, don't go there. And in exactly the same way, pot smoking also harms no bystanders. So although I don't smoke or frolick around nude, I can't see the problem with anyone doing either in a designated environment.
It's worked perfectly well in the Netherlands.
And they have free internet.
Do as I say not as I do ?
And no, I don't partake in either, I was making a point. Where do we stop pandering to all manor of minority groups and start catering to the majority ?
And hey, if they get approval I am perfectly happy for them. Just because its not my thing, does not mean I refuse to accept others want to do it. All the best ... and hmmm, that slip, slop, slap advice might be worth remembering :)
Just remember too much sun on the body can damage the skin.one bloke came into the hospital and have a sunspot cut out off his penis, too much sun. Be sun smart.
I understand that having a legal beach means there will be signs warning people about the nudity so nobody is ever embarrassed again. An yes definitely be sunsmart and apply the sunscreen people.
Naturism is just natural! Look at Alex Bay Beach - there are fishos, surfers and nudies all mixed up and who cares?
I was not advocating smoking dope - I was making a point regarding the validity of some of the arguments we have seen lately from the FBA members.
Their arguments could be used by any group of people wanting to claim any piece of land (or ocean).
Perhaps I should have made the adverse effects of cannabis use more prominently in my comment. I didn't mean it to sound like I was giving it the green light (so to speak..type). And for your benefit as you apparently missed it my earlier comments, I don't smoke dope - I was making a point.
By the way, thanks for the insult :)
Normal people swimming, walking , beach cricket, sunbaking etc - except doing it nude and without harrassment. Nothing more.
"Now if you could combine it with a swingers event - HELLO SAILOR!"
Just what we would expect from ignorant Textiles! Naturists are nothing to do with swingers - that is a myth!!! We just love being FREE on a beach and in our lifestyle!!!
What is the definition of a Nudist??
Someone who only wears clothes when they have to. That simple! I am nude when ever I can be including being at home nude all the time.
I just hope the 'naturists' who want to have a crack at others by calling them names like "textiles" don't get offended when clothed people call them names like "old, fat, wrinkly, saggy, disgusting fools" ... as an example.
Let's leave the name calling out if it, hey ?
The quality of our lives is made more interesting when we indulge the minority to do their "thing" whether we wasnt to do it or not. It would be a bland, boring world if we only allowed what the majority want all the time.
My question to these nudists is that they claim it's all so pure and they only notice the faces anyway then how come they even knew I had clothes on ?
Part of the beach already appears to be a beat on certain days so it is hardly for "family friendly" naturalists.
Seems most people I've spoken too are pretty polarised on the issue (including you bloggers).
I'm leaning slightly toward the nudists now as they appear more rational in this debate but at the end of the day will we have any influence on the out come of the decision and the spot it takes place or doesn't?
I wonder what they do in Europe about seedy behaviour at nude places?
Will the 'beach' have to be patrolled if legalised and what will the life guards wear? That could enshrine the coast's pink dollar for ever.
What about parking?
It could be a benefit to the coast and /or a can of worms we can't contain.
..which came shortly after Pepsi's comment of having a sunspot removed from a private spot.
Whilst yes I'm sure the smarter nudists would apply sunscreen, is it considered 'safe' because they others are only doing harm to themself?
and Phil_surfmore, Why do they seem more rational?
It's difficult to speak out against the issue because then you're going against a minority, and Australian's love to stand up for the minority. But it's easy for the minority to claim everyone else has ignorance of positives that could come out of it, yet almost impossible to claim they have ignorance of the negatives.
Rational? There's normally very little rational debates that happen when everyone is either for or against it.
(just to explain, that's actually a reference to those that have no difference in the matter, to those of us who aren't really phased by it, but are leaning slightly to one way, if that. the moment anyone makes a half statement, someone comes in and accuses them of being 'for' or 'against' an issue. ..Normally followed by name calling, just to show how mature they are)
Furthermore, how are they "more rational" when all they do is label anyone with a different view "a textile" ?!
On another note, its a beautiful day out there today, for clothes wearers and CO folk - enjoy it one and all :)
And no I am not a nudist but have many good friends that are!
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story...
If the courts are going to keep finding for the nude-dude, then what is the point of having the law ? Or if the law must stay, what is the point of having the court ?
Rejoice and get nude, marsketa et al. :)
(see, I told you I wasn't dead against it ... otherwise I wouldn't be pointing it out to you! There are just a few teething problems before the idea can/will be legislated and/or accepted, I reckon. Hurdles which must be climbed sensibly and with respect, instead of name calling like "non-textiles" - which is internationally, well, at this keyboard anyway, accepted as a .....)
The beaches will be clothes optional so you are welcome to come and catch a wave there if you wish. we only ask that textiles follow the FBA Code of Etiquette (look it up on the website www.freebeach.com.au) and show respect for fellow beach users. We too are very used to seeing clothed bodies LOL as well as nude ones. And yes we look at the whole body clothed or unclothed. it is just that the genitals are just another part of the body like any other part.
Eerwahvale, if you see someone behaving inappropriately at a legal nude beach with easy access to emergency vehicle then you call the police. That is what I do when I see someone behaving inappropriately at a clothed required beach.
The dog beach goes from Stumers 500 meters south to the Coolum Caravan park and presently 1km north from Stumers. Why should dogs have 1.5 meters of beach? The proposal is for the CO beach to start 500 meters north of stumers and finish 200 meters south of the National Park board walk. That would still allow 1km of beach for the dogs. And there is another dog "off leash" beach at the northern end of Sunshine beach as well.
I was following the debate on the other nude blog sites (Nude Ken and Nudes not rude) and felt Brook from cotton tree and your mate 2_cents are stirring the pot of fear on the perceived or real anti-social and criminal behaviour at CO spots. I can just pop down to Alex Pde and the local park for plenty of that.
By the same rationale we should close the skate park because some (a few) people are violent and others (a lot) litter profusely.
"NIMBY" I say to you though you can frolic at our local beach in 'practically' nothing. I don't know if I would take my family along to a designated nudist beach but we have a choice.
I never use the local bowling alley either, oh,and gave pot away years ago. How about a beach only for short boards and another for mals and those stand-up aircraft carriers.
What you need to do is ask this mob of nudies the hard questions?
Though I am sure the nays are in far greater abundance we could still get the CO beach because if you really felt strongly about it you should picket and protest Big Bob's office instead of blogging.
We have more important issues on the coast to deal with but I grant you this has captured a few peoples attention so far.
I was never much of a fan of traffic lights but the rev-heads love em!
Great news and it occured in the district court on appeal and not the magistrates court. Woooohoooo!
So now you can't go namecalling the judge of the district court a "half-baked JP" as you did the magistrate who found Ken non guilty by reason that the prosecution did not prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt.
on 8 May, 2008 at 5:39 p.m.
"To all the nudies out there - do us "textiles" a favour and pick a beach that does not have good waves or get used to having textiles amongst you without getting upset about it"
We already stated that Alex Bay Beach has nudies, fishos and surfers all mixed up and who cares. The Naturists have no problems with clothed Fishos/Surfers entering their patch and certainly do not get upset about it. The fishos and surfers are too busy and the Naturists dont care.
Hence terms like - the Textile end of the beach, the C/O or Free end of the beach which are used internationally.
I couldn't care less whether there are nudists lolling around the beach, but if the waves are good we're out there!
This 'us and them' type of attitude only hinders your cause. You must embrace those textiles and I may suggest that you textile while doing it.
Wax-up!
He declined to make a decision in law.
The District Court judge in the case I referred to made a decision and judgment on the facts and his interpretation and application of the facts. THAT is doing his job. THAT is what the JP should have done - considered the facts, applied it to the legislation and made a ruling accordingly.
Hey, he might have even formed a similar view and still acquitted Ken? Remember, from my very first comment on this I said I was bagging him, not the nudist concept.
Since then we've all gone around many paths anraised other issues, but my position on a CO beach has not changed - I don't have a firm opinion either way. But, if it is to go ahead a number of issues and considerations need to be addressed and resolved.
You were not in the court. You did not hear the judges summation. You are depending solely on what reporters wrote. The magistrate did make his decision on points of law:-
1. The prosecution must prove Wilful Exposure- the magistrate basically believed Ken's account of when he covered up over the account of the police. Therefore he reasoned the police could not have seen his genitals from 75 meters away. So Ken did not expose his genitals to police.
2. The only other person on the beach was another nudist. The magistrate ruled that constituted reasonable excuse if the other male saw his genitals.
3. Hence the evidence did not prove wilful exposure and Ken was innocent.
I'm only 27 and I tried Alex Bay on Australia Daythis year and I must say I was initially scared as I went by myself and didnt know what would happen. Anyway, I bravely ventured into the unknown and now Im really glad I tried it. It is very libarating and frankly there is nothing sexual about it.
However it does seem that the ratio of males to females is 85/15. Therefore there appears at times to be a 'gay group' environment. I dont condone this sort of venue as a gay gathering event. The beach should be left open for anyone and everyone to enjoy it nude or semi nude or covered up. We all have seen enough naked bodies by the time we are 25 to know what its all about anyway.
I truly believe that only insecure people who are narrow minded and 'nudephobic' think that their rights are above and beyond everyone else. The fact is we are living in a democratic and liberal country so get on with enjoying it and respect the right for others to enjoy the simple freedoms of a day spent on the beach in the nude.
I must say that during my visit to Alex Bay, many clothed males and females (of all ages) passed by me and I wasnt at all fussed that they could see me from top to bottom. Clearly they were neither interested or concerned and just did their own thing. A mixed clothing beach setting is in a lot of ways safe and harmless. My opinion to all those inward looking narrow minded worry warts is relax, go nude and you'll be glad you did!
No, I wasn't there and I have never pretended to be. I have seen numerous media reports and quotes and also heard quotes from people like yourself.
You seem to be confusing summation with the ratio decidendi (again, look it up if you need to). IF the ruling had been made as per your claim, then this conversation would have been very different (if at all), however it would appear as though every other person in the court that day heard something different to what you claim to have heard (which just happens to be exactly what you wished would have happened).
In any case, this bloke (was reported to have) shied away from making a ruling but the Bribie matter was found in favour of the nudist. The precedent has NOW been set as to what constitutes the exculpatory acts and provisions and I think your chances have greatly improved - not because of the Maroochydore JP, he left it in a grey area. The court on Bribie took a stand and made a firm ruling - and that went your way.
I say again, rejoice and get nude :)
Enjoy the beautiful day we have outside today (and slip, slop, slap).
(by the way, your continuing arguing after I pointed out the Bribie win and spelt out its ramifications makes me wonder about the 'peace-loving' claims you make about CO folk) You had a win, be happy ... I'm happy for you.
It is away from the main tourist stips along the coast. It is one of the few beaches that locals can access and not feel that we have to compete with out of towners. The users include locals families, fishermen, and dog owners who have access to this area. If this is approved then we will have to suffer parking/traffic problems, attract perverts and impact on the local conservation values of the area. We do not need this area to be used for this activity.
I believe the beach is further down at Maroochy North shore area which backs onto wetland area and is a long way away from the main beach at Mudjimba.
on 9 May, 2008 at 7:38 a.m.
QFreeBeachLobby... "A Bay is not 'your' patch. We've been surfing there for years as it picks up the last and tiniest swell. "
I never said that, the traditional Naturist 'patch' is the Southern end of the beach, a tiny part of the whole beach.
I've read The Press Reports of both cases. Seems to me that the decisions are identical, except the Local Magistrate (why do you refer to him as a mere JP) made a few extra comments not relevant to the decision.
Know the latin for that?
Hint. It is not ratio decidendi.
Law School 101. First Year, first class, and not mentioned again, except in Police Prosecutor circles.
Bit of a 'look at me,' you seem to be. (No, Dr. Suiss, you can't have that!!)
It's just occurred to me that I should check the dates each decision was given.
I'll get back to you.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodi...)
Delivered 7th May, 2008.
Nudists get attracted to the beach for the same reason that thousands of other people do. Surf, sun and sand. Just looking for a small piece of the many kilometres we have here to be able to enjoy it sans clothes.
I believe that south of the Mudjimba SLSC there is a stretch of beach backed by the Maroochy River Conservation Park that is fairly isolated and has been frequently used now by nudists in the past. It is between Mudjimba and Twin Waters Resort.
2. Nothing a pot smoker does reduces the danger they are causing themselves. Putting on suncream pretty much eliminates the 'danger' being naked in the sun may cause. (Doing drugs is dangerous - being naked is not.)
3. If you do not like seeing naked people at a beach then don't go to that beach.
I am not a nudist as I am not comfortable enough with myself to be but for those who are - good on you.
Why not organise a peaceful protest at Mooloolaba beach - and wear the bare minimum, a g-string for both males and females and make people realise how minimal the difference is between legal and illegal.
My 2 cents - do you think you would have been against the introduction of the bikini? Because I am sure all of the above arguments (attracting perverts, taking away 'family' beaches, etc) were probably the augments back then too.
Yet today it's acceptable - part of the aussie way of life.
Who knows - it may be an aussie way of life in 20 years to not HAVE to wear clothes to the beach :)
It is also a favourite spot for many dog walkers who do the circuit along the beach past Pincushion and back along the Maroochy River to the car park,(which would need a massive extension to cater for the extra bods as it is too small now).
I don't think the surfing community would be too bothered but the north shore banks can get crowded on weekends too.
Check it out this weekend, marsketa, and give us all your definition of isolated. I'm not sure but I bet that beach Ken was on at Coolum is way more isolated or maybe the area north of Mudjimba SC would be a better option.
The family picnic and fishing area is further to the south at Northshore where the lifesaver tower and toilets are.
What does Big Bob reckon of this area for you nudies?
Would it be better further up the coast so the Noosa crew don't have to drive too far to recreate?
Why not make the whole coast CO, then everywhere would be OK to wander unimpeaded. That idea may be further in the future, but who knows with global warming the possibility may create its own reality!
I point out that it's difficult if not impossible to have a more 'rational' side of argument, because if you lean one way the other side will claim irrational...
and you automatically assume i'm leaning against your side.
i personally have no issue with nude beaches, i do however have issues with illogical and irrational arguments.
Have your say
We welcome comments on our stories and blogs - after all it's your site. Please note comments should be on-topic and not abusive. Comments are checked before publication.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Your comments will be checked, for legal reasons, before being posted live.
Thanks again for contributing to the Daily's online community.
We value your views.
Comment again