Australia's Popular Naked Special Beach May Be Closed, This Is The State Government's Reason

Tyagarah Beach (Photo: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service/David Young)

JAKARTA - Tyagarah Beach, which stretches 800 meters long in the remote area of Byron Bay, caught the attention of Australians, as the famous beach was likely closed by the local government.

The beaches, which have long been loved by naturalists from Australia and around the world, are part of the Tyagarah Nature Reserve and are managed by the State Government of New South Wales.

Last year, the state government wrote a letter to local council complaining of nudity in public "inconsistent with values managed by nature reserve," according to CNN affiliate, 9News, as quoted on February 20.

The move is part of a broader strategy launched by the Byron Bay Shire Council, which announced plans for the management of Nature Reserves.

This week the council voted to decide whether to revoke the policy of using coastal clothing.

A report from the Tyagarah Nature Reserve conservation plan notes, "There are reports of offensive, obscene or antisocial behavior associated with some 'unsuited' beach users, including inappropriately dressed visitors in adjacent areas of daily activity in the reserve."

To deal with public complaints regarding the beach, the local police intervened.

However, not everyone is happy with the decision.

A petition launched by Bradley Benham, president of the Byron Naturalists group, had 1,125 signatures on February 14.

This petition is addressed to New South Wales Environment Minister Penny Sharpe.

"Correation of the naked is a legitimate way of life," wrote Benham.

"Physical outdoors for the naturis community are rare in NSW (and Australia) and these beaches are highly appreciated by committed and casual naturists," he explained.

This is not the first time Tyagarah's status has faced a demand for closure. In 2018, similar actions were rejected by the Shire Council and CCTV cameras were installed as a compromise.

"I've been bathing naked on Byron Shire beach since I was a child in the 70s and 80s," said Benham.

"We now have a much larger population. We have more beach users and we need an official area where we can shower heavily", he said.

If this regulation is successfully passed, visitors to Tyagarah Beach will be required to wear a swimsuit starting April 8.