Nudity may be outlawed on Cable Beach

An article from Flip Prior in 'The West Australian'
Broome Nudist Beach Under Review
In Broome, it's known as "north of the rocks" - where the pristine white sand of Cable Beach is peppered with sunbathers of all shapes and sizes in all their bare-naked glory.
Tourists brave enough to stray down there - including thousands each year who ride into the sunset on camel tours - often cop more of a view than they bargain for.
For many residents and visitors, shedding their clothes in that spot is sacrosanct, so they are likely to be furious after Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell signalled today that the practice could soon be banned.
Mr Campbell confirmed the Shire had this week been examining its local laws to see what should be updated, saying it was required to do so every eight years.
He pointed out that being naked on Cable Beach had never been legal, as a provision for it was not contained in local laws.
"I've merely suggested that the issue of designated areas where no clothes are worn will need to be looked at because there is no legal area in Broome where people are entitled to wear no clothes.
"It's appropriate that the matter be reviewed," he said.
"It has been a practice developed over many, many years but our local laws are silent on that matter."
And it is not just naked bathers who are about to be scrutinised by the Shire Council.
The cherished practice of driving cars on Cable Beach and camel tours are also up for review, Mr Campbell said.
Under last year's Yawuru native title settlement over Broome, the beach from about 1km north of the rocks was now vested in the Department of Conservation and to be jointly managed by traditional owners and the Broome Shire.
"The terms and conditions of this agreement are yet to be discussed, as are any rules and regulations that will apply," Mr Campbell said.
Closer to the main drag, Cable Beach was technically under Broome Port Authority control and there was no formal understanding with the Shire as to how it should be managed, he said.
"All manner of activities on that area are yet to be talked about," he said.
He said the law review was expected to take at least 12 months. Once accepted by council, the laws must then be reviewed by the Department of Local Government before going out for public comment.
Mr Campbell accepted banning nude bathers would anger some in the community, but pointed out they were leaving themselves open to the risk of breaking the law.
While most naturists did the right thing and were discreet, there had been complaints of "lewd and offensive" behaviour from others in the past, he said.
This week, a Perth man was ordered to undergo counselling and intensive supervision after pleading guilty to obscene acts in public after flashing his genitals at two women on the beach in September.
"It's important to note that lewd behaviour in a public place is an offence if it was me naked it would probably be deemed to be lewd behaviour and offensive to the eye," Mr Campbell said.
This morning, Cable Beach was empty of nude bathers, as it is currently closed to vehicles because of coastal erosion from Tropical Cyclone Carlos - but they're certain to be back.
Ships of the Desert operator Samantha Cousins said while her staff tried to avoid bumping into nude bathers on their daily tours, most tourists found them amusing.
"We always warn people at the beginning of the tour that we are walking on Australia's longest nude beach and things will look a lot smaller from atop a camel," she said.

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It would be a shame if they banned nude bathing, we can't afford to loose what nude beaches we have!!

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As usual when a beach is in danger of being closed it is "lewd and offensive" behavior that is cited as a reason - when will the so called nudists learn that sex has no place on a public beach?

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