A man has been arrested for alleged public masturbation, and 15 people have been fined during a police crackdown at an unofficial nude beach in Queensland.
Police have twice visited Alexandria Bay in Noosa National Park in recent weeks after receiving complaints about what they have described as “adverse”, “predatory” and “deviant” behaviour.
Alexandria Bay is known among the naturist community as a place for nude sunbathing. However, Queensland law does not allow for public nudity.
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“People who wish to sunbake nude, they’re more than welcome to do that in the privacy of their own home where they can’t be seen by others,” Sunshine Coast Superintendent Craig Hawkins told 7NEWS.
“But it’s not permitted in a public place.”
The 15 people fined during the operations were accused of wilful exposure, Hawkins said.
But one man was charged with an indecent act after allegedly masturbating near a couple on the beach.
Hawkins said the man’s alleged act was the type of behaviour that had sparked the crackdown.
“People visit regularly, and they do not need to be exposed to people walking around nude, but also the predatory behaviour, deviant behaviour that has been occurring,” he said.
“The situation has arisen where we’ve received multiple complaints in regards to adverse and predatory behaviour around Alexandria Bay.
“People are feeling unsafe in that area because of the behaviour of people.”
He said police are working with park officials to install signs stating that Alexandria Bay is not a nude beach.
– With Charlie Dally-Watkins
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