THE push to establish legal nudist beaches in Queensland has been kiboshed by the State Government.

Queensland has about 15 unofficial nude beaches but the current law states people could be prosecuted for the activity.

Two petitions submitted to the State Government, by Poona resident John Hart, attracted almost 1500 signatures and called for “nude sunbathing and swimming” to become legal and a beach in the Fraser Coast region to be designated “for this purpose”.

media_camera Keely Eggmolesse and Ebony Hughes at an unofficial nudist beach at Coolum. Picture: Megan Slade.

But Police Minister Bill Byrne has dismissed the proposal and said the current laws were “designed to provide for the protection and safety of Queenslanders”.

“As such, I can advise that the Queensland Government has no plans to change the current legislation dealing with wilful exposure,” he wrote in a letter to the Clerk of Parliament, which was published on its website.

“Therefore, the designation of a clothing optional beach is not supported at this time.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Byrne said any proposal for changing the law would need the support of the local MP as well as the council.

“That has not happened in this case,” she said.

Noosa Edge Nudist Retreat owner and activist Rainer Muekenberger, 66, said the state was missing out on attracting a niche tourism market.

“Everywhere in the world has nudist beaches,” he said.

“We have thousands of kilometres of amazing beaches here in Queensland so surely we can allocate a few metres to people who don’t want to wear clothes.”

Mr Muekenberger said changing the law would also prevent people from accidentally being exposed to people who want to sunbath or swim naked.

“If it is a proper nudist beach then it will be properly signed so it will be impossible to stumble across them,” he said.

media_camera Police Minister Bill Byrne has dismissed the proposal and said the current laws were “designed to provide for the protection and safety of Queenslanders”. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Muekenberger said a change in attitude was needed before clothing optional beaches were accepted.

“Unfortunately, Queenslanders are wimps when is comes to nudism.”

Mr Hart’s petition was sponsored by Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders.

The Australian Sex Party last year called on the Palaszczuk Government to change laws to allow nudist beaches and proposed one be established at Alexandria Bay, at Noosa.