Squatters and illegal campers continue to cause concern

Calls for action to curb the rise of campers and squatters living at Picnic Point, The Entrance, have risen following the death of a person camping there.

Police have confirmed a person was discovered dead in the back of a van camped at Picnic Point on January 23.

Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious, and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

A resident who witnessed police and ambulance attending the scene said the number of illegal campers and squatters at Picnic Point was out of control.

The resident alleges the person was one of many homeless people who were camping in the area.

Illegal camping and squatting have risen dramatically all along the coast, from Budgewoi to Blackwall, as Central Coast Council grapples with the complexities of sorting out who is free camping and who is homeless.

Disappointed residents, many of whom are concerned about the lack of toilet facilities in these illegal camping areas, are fed up with the lack of action.

“To those who say just leave them alone, they are harmless, I say open your eyes,” one Picnic Point resident said.

“Some homeless (people) need some help – subsidised van parks maybe – others are rude, abusive and on occasion very violent.”

He said the campsites were “filthy” and campers showed minimal respect for others around them.

“My view is that we have to do more to move these people on,” the resident said.

He said he had written and sent photos to the Council, and he knew of other residents who had also complained by phone to no avail.

He said the problem started with a few tents and cars over two years ago increasing steadily through the COVID years and as of February 3, there were about 20 caravans, trailers, vans and tent/tarps camped in the reserve.

Central Coast Councillor Doug Eaton said he had visited Picnic Point several times recently after being contacted by a resident.

“But having again visited Picnic Point last week – there is a clear slum/ghetto area, and many people will not feel safe visiting this area which should be a prime tourist area and that’s what this resident is relaying,” he said.

“From my inspection all of the campers at Picnic Point have cars, so in my view they could easily move to a non-prime location and leave our prime tourist areas and beaches for residents and tourists.”

Eaton was successful in getting Council to agree to a number of measures regarding free camping amid fears the issue would “dramatically” increase over Summer holidays.

His motion, put to the December Council meeting, included directing CEO David Farmer to urgently review and install signage to prohibit free parking at Council reserves and carparks and for Council’s rangers to enforce the restrictions immediately.

It also stated that in cases of genuine homelessness, Council rangers are to offer referral to appropriate support services.

The motion also said that Council staff were to negotiate with the NRMA, as the operator of Council caravan parks, to offer temporary free or subsidised accommodation to the genuine homeless for a short period, and that staff investigate other appropriate accommodation options.

The CEO is to report back to Council in February on the implementation and effectiveness of these measures and other relevant issues.

“My concern is that these illegal free campers are taking up beachside parking spots making them unavailable for residents and tourists,” Eaton said.

One resident has launched a petition calling for action from police and the Council to relocate the “unauthorised community” at Blackwall boat ramp to suitable accommodation.

About 127 people have signed the petition which was launched on January 30.

“The Blackwall boat ramp has been a popular spot for recreational boating for many years,” the petition stated.

“Recently, however, it has been burdened by the presence of an unauthorised community living in the area.

“This has resulted in parking spaces being occupied to an unsustainable level, especially now that the Ettalong boat ramp is closed and so parking is at a premium.

“In addition, hygiene and environmental concerns are on the rise as these people do not have access to proper sanitation facilities, leading to improper disposal of waste on the foreshore.

“Furthermore, unattended pets from this community are causing additional issues to the surroundings.

“Despite numerous reports to the police and Council, responsibility is being shuffled, with each sector believing that the other should resolve this.

“Our petition is to prompt direct action from both the police and Council.

“It is crucial for us to protect the recreational purpose of Blackwall boat ramp, as well as ensuring that every citizen has a proper place to call home.

“Therefore, we request an immediate and effective solution to relocate the unauthorised community to suitable, equipped accommodation.”

A Central Coast Council spokesperson said following the December Council meeting a review of current signage in particular hotspots had commenced and would be completed in the first quarter of this year.

Some new signage in particular hotspots had already been installed.

The spokesperson said rangers proactively patrolled hotspots where there was signage over the Christmas and New Year period which resulted in a significant number of people who were illegally camping being moved on. 

She said Council rangers had seen a noticeable reduction in illegal campers in the hotspots after moving people on and undertaking enforcement action where warranted.

Council will continue to patrol areas where illegal camping and parking is reported as being an issue.

The spokesperson said enforcement action could be complicated and needed to be carefully considered, particularly if people were genuinely homeless. 

She said Council staff have been working with appropriate agencies to provide support services to those who are homeless and to look for long-term solutions.

Denice Barnes