Nude sunbathers say the law is an ass (Telegraph)
www.freebeach.info
By Chelsea White
From: The Daily Telegraph
February 23, 2010 12:00AM
[Photo] Tan your hide ... nude afficionados at Little Congwong Beach
Pic: Brad Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph
EVEN Tony Abbott would be overdressed at Little Congwong Beach at La
Perouse.
But now the nudists who frequent the picturesque beach on the northern
edge of Botany Bay have become the subject of a National Parks and
Wildlife crackdown.
Little Congwong has been an unofficial haven for naturists for 50
years. However, complaints from locals saw police raid the beach on
Sunday and threaten nude bathers with fines. Yesterday, the sun lovers
were defiant, returning to the beach despite warning signs and the
police raid.
They were also happy to pose for our photographer, but being a family
friendly newspaper, The Daily Telegraph has chosen not to show them in
all their glory. "Regular nudist" Marco Vai said Little Congwong had
been "clothing-optional" for 50 years and bathers were upset at being
targeted.
"I have been coming here for years and it is unbelievable what is now
happening ... they even told the girls to put their tops back on," Mr
Vai said.
Randwick councillor Robert Belleli said the real issue was illegal
sexual activity - not the nude sunbathing.
"I have had a lot of complaints about sex in the bushes," Cr Belleli
said.
"It is not that I have a problem with nudists but I don't like illegal
sexual activity, especially with kids around. They are breaking the
law."
One clothed bather said that as a resident, at first he was not keen
on sharing the beach with nudists but he now enjoyed the community
atmosphere.
"Problems only started when the signs (warning people to not go nude)
went up," the resident said.
He believed those against nude bathing were driven by homophobia.