Council set sights on Brunswick Heads ‘van-lifers’

BYRON Shire Council is taking steps to address growing community concerns about unauthorised camping in Brunswick Heads, with the issue expanding into new areas in the wake of the South Beach Road upgrade.

This week, Council’s Local Traffic Committee recommended an expansion of the Brunswick Heads Pay Parking scheme to include the southern side of Fawcett Street, between Park Street and Tweed Street. The proposal also includes changing the time limits to four-hour parking between 6am and 1am and introducing a “No Parking” rule from 1am to 6am, exempting permit holders.

The move comes amid increasing frustration from residents over the presence of so-called “van lifers” — people living in cars, vans or other vehicles — particularly around issues of public hygiene.

Cr Michael Lyon will move a motion at the June 12 council meeting that acknowledges the ongoing issues with unauthorised camping/parking and ‘van-lifing’ in Brunswick Heads and the impact it has on residents, businesses and visitors.

He is also calling for council to make a public declaration that it intends to take all necessary steps to deal with this issue and the impacts it has, and a report outlining the current state of enforcement action on unauthorised camping/parking in Brunswick Heads.

Cr Lyon said there had been a similar issue in South Beach Lane in the past becoming an “anti-social free campground”.

“Now we can see this same site at the boat harbour every evening and in places like Fawcett St and Mona Lane, leaving rubbish, filling public bins and private bins to overflowing, playing loud music until late,” he said.

While there has been some concern about homeless people being moved on, Cr Lyon said the vast majority of the offenders are travellers.

Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said the issue has worsened due to roadworks on South Beach Lane and South Beach Road, which have limited available parking.

The introduction of pay parking in central Brunswick Heads and on South Beach Road last September has also played a role in pushing campers into other areas.

Cr Ndiaye explained that issuing fines is not straightforward. Council officers must wake the camper, confirm they were sleeping in the vehicle, collect photographic or video evidence, and obtain identification to issue an infringement notice. In 2023, only 11 per cent of fines issued were paid.

She said council is now shifting to “No Parking 1–6am” signage in known hotspots. This allows officers to issue fines under the Roads Act, targeting vehicles rather than individuals. It also enables Revenue NSW to cancel licences or vehicle registrations if fines go unpaid.

“It’s a really challenging problem and we know from experience stopping the problem in one area will no doubt lead to it occurring somewhere else,” Cr Ndiaye said. “We need to look at the issue more holistically as a council, but for now, action needs to be taken.”