I won't fight for nudists: Mayor Abbot

12:00a.m. 8th May 2008

Mayor Bob Abbot has corrected claims that he would support an official nudist beach on the Sunshine Coast.

He said while he had no problem with the nudists’ cause, he would not fight any battles for them.

The comments yesterday were in response to a national media report implying he was all for the bid for the Sunshine Coast to become home to Queensland’s first legal nudist beach.

“I don’t have an issue with clothes-optional beaches at all but I’m certainly not the champion of this cause and don’t intend to be,” Me Abbot said.

An application from Freebeach Australia is before council, but Mr Abbot has not viewed it yet.

“It would require public consultation,’’ he said.

“I’m not willing to commit myself or this council to anything until such time as we do that.”

Mr Abbot said he had no issue with the use of Alexandria Bay as an unofficial nude beach, but he had no opinion regarding the establishment of a legal nudist beach at Coolum, Mudjimba or Marcus Downs.

Premier Anna Bligh said the state would consider the application if council endorsed it.

“If a safe and accessible location was put forward away from everyday beach goers ... the government would consider it,” she said.

Related stories:

> A nude beach for the Coast?

> Artist in the frame

> 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

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Posted by LJ_Turner from Marcoola

on 8 May, 2008 at 1 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Bob,

'clothes-optional beaches' - that's some pretty good wording.

Have you been reading that dictionary again?

All the best mate

Posted by marsketa from Coolum Beach

on 20 May, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

The only fair public consultation would be a referendum costing many thousands of dollars. previous polls by newspapers and radio and TV stations on the coast have brought a 90% aproval of a legal clothes optional beach if it was isolated and there were signs. Bob Abbott did not seek public consultation for dog "off leash" beaches, riding trails through State Forests for horse owners nor does he consult the public before the Motorway is closed for a bicycle race. So why waste money on a referendum for a legal clothes optional beach when all indications are that the majority have no problem with it? BIG Bob is the BIG man for the BIG job so now it is time for him to make the BIG decisions.

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