As reported by the Kiama Independent in April, the 2013/14 summer holiday period resulted in an unusually large influx of campers at the northern end of Bombo beach. 

At the time residents took to social media to vent frustrations about the tourists.

In April, a Kiama Council spokesperson said the land was zoned E2 Environmental Conservation and owned by Sydney Water.

‘‘E2 zoned land does not allow use of the land as a designated camping ground,’’ the spokesperson said.

A report to the May council meeting said camping at Bombo Beach, particularly last Christmas, increased dramatically.

According to council’s report, they received numerous complaints from residents about the impact of camping including disturbance to local residence, fires, noise, scattering of rubbish, drinking of alcohol, condition of amenities and restricted local access to parking.

‘‘Also, additional cleaning costs associated with litter collection and amenities cleaning had been incurred,’’ the report said. 

A request for a sewage caravan/campervan dump point at the northern end of the beach was previously rejected by Kiama councillors, due to the belief it would increase the illegal camping in the area.

At the September meeting, councillors endorsed a series of staff recommendations regarding the area.

These included that camping and the lighting of fires on land at the northern end of Bombo Beach become prohibited activities under the Local Government Act.

Council will erect notices indicating that camping and lighting of fires are prohibited activities in the area. 

A proposal to make the area at the northern end of the beach an alcohol prohibited area will be referred to police for consideration.

Council’s Traffic Committee will also investigate and report back to council on the application of parking time limitations at the site.

‘‘Council’s ‘authorised officers’ can deal with offences under section 632 by issuing a penalty notice,’’ council’s report said. 

‘‘The Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 sets a penalty of $110 for offences committed under section 632.

‘‘Once council has resolved what activities are prohibited and notices have been erected in the correct manner, any subsequent instances of camping and other associated activities can be dealt with by the issue of a penalty notice or a caution.

‘‘Correspondence has been received from Sydney Water advising that it has no objections to council pursuing illegal camping enforcement under the Local Government Act.

‘‘However, it was requested that council notify Sydney Water before any enforcement action against individuals is commenced.’’