Bid To Strip Away Rights At Mt Eliza Nudist Beach

Moves to boot nudists off Mt Eliza’s Sunnyside beach are bogged down in red tape.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is determined to kick nudists off the beach due to antisocial behaviour, inadequate public facilities and poor access.

Shire sustainable environment director Alex Atkins confirmed the shire had pushed the State Government for a review.

“Over a number of years the shire has certainly had issues with behaviour and we’ve made representations to the State Government that it would be time for a review,” Mr Atkins said.

He said the review should consider Victoria’s four nudist beaches and it was not the shire’s role to do it.

But Planning Minister Justin Madden’s office said the council had to do the consultation if it wanted a review.

The minister’s spokeswoman, Peta Duke, said Mr Madden was aware of the council concerns.

She said a former planning minister requested more information in 2006 and Mr Madden re-issued the request in February.

Mornington state Liberal MP David Morris told Parliament recently that Mr Madden should immediately initiate a review of the beach’s status.

Mr Morris said a “real culture of antisocial behaviour” had developed in the adjacent carpark, including flashings and lewd acts in the public toilets.

“All of these issues make its current use entirely inappropriate.”

The government declared Sunnyside a legal nudist beach in 1986.

Nudist Association of Victoria president Werner Jacob said members would fight moves to change Sunnyside’s status.

“It’s very important because it’s the only one on that side of the bay,” he said.