One of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations is coming down hard on illegally parked campervans – with fines set to jump for those doing the wrong thing.
According to Yahoo News, Noosa Council has voted to increase penalties for anyone overstaying time limits, parking in loading zones, blocking disabled parking spaces, and camping illegally.
Locals say Noosa is being overrun with tourists doing the wrong thing – often leaving reserves and public spaces in a disordered state, while vans and motorhomes can be found camping illegally in car parks and taking up disabled parking spaces.
Council enforcement officers have been cracking down on campervans, catching them in the act in the early mornings.
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One resident from the north coast of New South Wales told CarExpert record homelessness in coastal areas was also contributing to the problem.
However, Director of Regulation and Development at Noose Council, Richard MacGillivray, said those battling homelessness wouldn’t be targeted by the new fines.
“There are occasions where our staff come across local people who are genuinely homeless and living in their cars because they have no other option,” he told Yahoo News.
“Of course, we don’t fine people in this situation – we link them with local support agencies that can offer them safe accommodation and other assistance.”