Woman in hat on the beach with her back

Woman in hat on the beach with her back fotorince

A FRASER Coast man's push to establish a legal nudist beach in Dundowran has divided our Facebook followers after we asked who would support a nudist beach for the Bundaberg region.

While Burnett Shire Council did receive a formal application for a nudist beach prior to amalgamation, Division 5 Representative and former Burnett Shire Councillor Greg Barnes said the majority of feedback opposed the application.

"Prior to amalgamation Burnett Shire Council received formal applications to consider designating a clothing optional beach within the area as a result of the Queensland Government considering legalising nude beaches in Queensland," he said.

"Burnett Shire Council considered the proposal to site a clothing optional beach within the region and invited public comments on the matter in 2005.

"A significant amount of feedback was received with the majority of residents against the proposal, which subsequently was not adopted by council.

"Council has not received any formal applications for a clothing optional beach in the area since amalgamation.

"There are currently no designated clothing optional beaches within the Bundaberg region."

But the NewsMail's Facebook followers aren't so sure everyone knows our beachgoers are required to be clothed.

Maree Woods said it seemed some thought Moore Park Beach was the place to bare it all.

"So thought four males a few weekends ago, cruised straight past us in a boat," she said.

"Normally I wouldn't care but my 7-year-old daughter didn't need to see it.

"I'm all for a nudist beach. I wouldn't go but if there was a beach just for that than there wouldn't be people doing it wherever they want."

And Leesa Marie couldn't see the harm in having a nudist beach.

"Today's world is such a judgemental place. Bringing back some freedom might help change that," she said.

For someone who spends a lot of time at the beach, Surf Life Saving Queensland Wide Bay regional manager Craig Holden said he could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen beachgoers get their kit off.

"We get the odd topless bather but not many this day and age," he said.

"I'd say more people are aware of what's going on around them and opt to cover up. "I imagine there are people who do like to go nude at the beach but they are opting for isolated beaches away from prying eyes."

Mr Holden said occasionally lifeguards had to advise beachgoers that nudity wasn't allowed on the region's beaches, but more often than not it was travellers who were unaware of the rules.

"It tends to be backpackers and visitors from those European countries where they have a different culture," he said.

"We have had lifeguards go on exchange and they've had to patrol nude beaches."