Council to investigate illegal camping

Central Coast Council will investigate reports of people camping illegally at The Lakes Beach.

A concerned reader reported a large blue and white vehicle which parks at the beach during most school holidays, sometimes staying for weeks, despite clear signposting saying no overnight camping is allowed.

“Every school holiday, it turns up again,” the reader said.

“Add in numerous other caravans, unhitched, awnings out, washing hanging around and it looks disgusting.

“There are so many caravan parks that bring in revenue for the Coast, but these people seem to thumb their nose at that and choose absolute beach frontage for free every holiday.”

A spokesperson said Council and/or other land managers such as Crown Lands and the National Parks and Wildlife Service establish specific areas where camping is permitted and where camping is not permitted on their land.

“Council identifies its prohibited areas primarily through signage issued under the Local Government Act 1993,” the spokesperson said.

“Council undertakes both reactive and proactive patrols in relation to alleged unlawful camping and expanded its presence across the Central Coast over the Christmas and New Years period in an effort to address this issue.

“Unfortunately, and despite the signage prohibiting camping at the locality in question, there are some people who do not abide by relevant prohibitions.

“Council will undertake an investigation in relation to the matter raised and take regulatory action where warranted.

“Concerns of this nature can also be formally reported to Council so they can be logged, allocated and actioned in a timely manner.

“This can be done by contacting our Customer Service Centre on 4306 7900, by emailing to ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or via Council’s online Customer Service Centre.”