Nudist beach in Australia faces possible closure

() – A popular Australian nudist beach could cease to exist.

Tyagarah Beach, a secluded 800-metre stretch of beach north of Byron Bay, has been the subject of intense debate in recent weeks.

Much loved by nudists in Australia and around the world, the beach is part of the Tyagarah Nature Reserve and is maintained by the New South Wales State Government.

Last year, the state government wrote to the local council complaining that public nudity was “not consistent with the values ​​under which the reserve is managed,” according to affiliate 9News.

The move is part of a wider strategy launched by Byron Bay Shire Council, which released a management plan for the Nature Reserve.

On Feb. 22, the council will vote on whether to revoke the beach’s no-clothes policy.

A Tyagarah Nature Reserve conservation plan report noted that “there have been reports of offensive, obscene or anti-social behavior associated with some users of the ‘clothing optional’ beach, including inappropriately dressed visitors in the adjacent use area. reserve diary”.

The local police were tasked with processing citizens’ complaints regarding the beach.

However, not everyone is happy with the decision.

A petition launched by Bradley Benham, president of the Byron nudist group, had 1,125 signatures as of February 14.

The petition is addressed to Penny Sharpe, New South Wales Environment Minister.

“Nudist recreation is a legitimate way of life,” Benham wrote. “Legal outdoor spaces for the nudist community are rare in New South Wales (and Australia) and this beach is highly regarded by both committed and casual naturists.”

This is not the first time Tyagarah’s clothing-free status has been in jeopardy. In 2018, a similar measure was rejected by the Shire Council and CCTV cameras were installed as a compromise to avoid problems.

“I have been skinny dipping on Byron Shire beaches since I was a child in the 70s and 80s,” Benham told 9 News. “Now we have much more population. “We have many more beach users and we need a designated legal area where we can bathe naked.”

If the measure is approved next week, from April 8 the use of swimsuits in Tyagarah will be mandatory.

‘s Angus Watson contributed reporting.