Broome council to debate bare issues

At least once a week for seven years, Gary Carr has gone “north of the rocks” on Cable Beach to take his kit off for a spot of sun where it usually don’t shine.

Mr Carr said he had no time for “exhibitionists” and agreed they made others on the beach uncomfortable.

“If I see anybody come past, I cover up,” he said.

Like hundreds of others who regularly disrobe discreetly on Cable Beach, he wants to keep doing it – even if it means going kilometres up the beach.

But now, Broome shire president Graeme Campbell says the long-standing practice may soon be banned.

The shire has begun a sweeping review of its local laws which did not rule on nudism on the beach. While most naturists did the right thing and were discreet, there had been complaints of “lewd and offensive” behaviour from others in the past, Mr Campbell said.

Ships of the Desert camel tour operator Samantha Cousins said her staff tried to avoid bumping into nude bathers on their daily tours but 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.

It’s not just nude bathers the council is after. The cherished tradition of driving cars on Cable Beach and daily camel tours are also up for review.

The review is expected to take a year.