Campers 'trespass' on Defence training site, breach COVID-19 restrictions
Three teenagers have been charged with trespassing and fined for breaching COVID-19 restrictions by camping at the Shoalwater Bay Defence Training Area in central Queensland.
Officers were called to Five Rocks Beach, 75 kilometres north-east of Rockhampton, in the early hours of Sunday after reports of people camping and driving dangerously on the sand.
Body-worn camera footage showed tents, supplies and camping equipment at the illegal site.Credit:Queensland Police Service
It will be alleged 14 vehicles - a mixture of utes and 4WDs - were found to be parked on the beach with a "large group" of people camping together at the site.
Two 19-year-old men and an 18-year-old man were charged with trespassing on Commonwealth land and were issued with a notice to appear in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 19.
The trio was also fined $1334 each for breaching the chief health officer’s public health directions.
Police allege 14 vehicles were within the Shoalwater Bay ADF training zone.Credit:Queensland Police Service.
"Police will continue to educate and show compassion when engaging with members of the public," the Queensland Police Service said in a statement.
"However, will take enforcement action if it is determined people are blatantly disregarding public health directives."
Investigations into the incident continue.
The Shoalwater Bay has been used as a military training area since 1965, according to the Australian Defence Force.
"The main activities include or have included the use of weapons ranges and firing ranges," according to a Defence review published in 2016.
"There is known unexploded ordnance within the target area used for live firing practices, including potential explosive residues and heavy metals."