TOURISTS camping illegally on an inner-city street will have their vans towed in a council crackdown on the unofficial camping ground.

City South News revealed last month that backpackers had been using West End’s Riverside Drive as an unofficial camping spot, with 15 or more vans parked there every night.

The issue caused outrage among residents who complained tourists were using their “backyard” as a toilet, as there were none nearby.

But Lord Mayor Graham Quirk today announced Riverside Drive between Jane Street and the Go Between Bridge would become a No Stopping zone between midnight and 4am daily.

Additional “no camping” signs will also be installed and tow truck drivers employed to remove offending vehicles.

“Council has distributed multilingual information about camping being prohibited to backpacker accommodations and vehicle hire companies and there is already some signage installed, but unfortunately the message isn’t getting through,” Cr Quirk said.

“By making this section of road a no stopping zone between midnight and 4am daily, we can target those people who are doing the wrong thing, issue them with a $110 fine and then if necessary, arrange to have their vehicle towed.”

Cr Quirk said the enforcement was in response to strong community concern about the issue.

“I’ve listened to local residents’ concerns about the campers’ anti-social behaviour and leaving the area untidy and full of litter and this simply won’t do for a city that I want to be the cleanest and greenest in Australia,” he said.

“I encourage any resident who is concerned about possible illegal camping to report the activity to Council.”

The no stopping parking restrictions imposed along Riverside Drive will not apply to residents living in adjacent streets and their visitors who have parking permits and park in the area between Jane St and the boat ramp.

Boaties using the boat ramp in the area will not be affected by the changes.

But last month, City South News reported that others had called for the city to be more tolerant of campers.

Brisbane resident Darren Mortimer said there should be proper public toilet facilities along the street.

“Obviously if we’re a world city, we should want to support tourism,” Mr Mortimer said.

Mr Mortimer said the backpackers were spending money in the city but there was nowhere for people to camp close to the CBD.

What do you think? Should the city tow the vans in the middle of the night? Or should we be more tolerant of young travellers?