Shellharbour Council Takes Proactive Measures to Curb Illegal Holiday Camping
Shellharbour City Council is moving decisively to prevent the spread of illegal camping issues that have long plagued neighbouring Wollongong. With public holidays and warmer months often seeing increased use of foreshore areas, the council is adopting a proactive enforcement strategy to maintain order and compliance with local laws.
Learning from Wollongong's Ongoing Challenges
Wollongong City Council has faced persistent problems with unauthorised overnight stays in public parks, particularly around Stuart Park during major holidays like Australia Day and New Year's Eve. More recently, Wollongong officials have also dealt with visitors using unconventional methods like wrapping picnic shelters in cling wrap to reserve spaces, creating additional management headaches.
Shellharbour Council aims to avoid these complications by addressing potential issues before they become established patterns in their jurisdiction.
Targeted Enforcement and Public Education
The council has confirmed that city regulation officers will be conducting proactive patrols in key areas, with particular focus on Reddall Reserve – the designated location for this year's Australia Day celebrations. These patrols will enforce bans on both overnight camping and unauthorised parking in public reserves.
A council spokesperson emphasised that while illegal camping hasn't yet become a significant problem for Shellharbour, the municipality is taking preventative action based on observed trends. "Use of foreshore areas and public reserves increases during warmer months and occasionally this includes unauthorised overnight stays, which are not permitted," the spokesperson stated.
Clear Regulations and Compliance Expectations
Shellharbour Council is reminding residents and visitors that temporary shade structures must be dismantled by 7pm each evening, and that overnight stays in public areas remain strictly prohibited. The council has received 53 customer requests related to these issues since 2023, primarily during peak periods such as long weekends and holiday seasons.
"Council's city regulation officers are proactively visiting these areas to provide information on overnight parking rules and encourage compliance with local laws," the spokesperson explained, noting that enforcement action would be taken when necessary to ensure public spaces remain accessible and safe for all users.
A Regional Approach to Common Challenges
The situation highlights how neighbouring councils in the Illawarra region face similar pressures during peak holiday periods, with Shellharbour's preventative approach contrasting with Wollongong's reactive management of established problems. Both municipalities must balance public enjoyment of coastal and recreational areas with the need to maintain order and prevent damage to public infrastructure.
As Australia Day approaches, Shellharbour's measures represent a strategic effort to manage increased visitor numbers while avoiding the camping chaos that has troubled adjacent communities during previous holiday celebrations.
