BACKGROUND

Sunnyside North beach at Mt Eliza has been a clothing optional beach in Metropolitan Melbourne for more than 35 years. More than 3 decades! It is now part of our culture and heritage. For years, families and friends have peacefully and quietly enjoyed the freedom to swim, sunbathe or walk along the sand without the restrictions of clothes. The beach is clothing optional, so no one is forced to be naked.

The beach is very secluded and private with relatively difficult access so it is unlikely that anyone would accidently find themselves confronted by a nude person unless they deliberately made their way to the beach.

There is currently a push by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to recommend to the State Government of Victoria Planning Minister that the legal clothing optional status of this beach be revoked.

The Nudity (Prescribed Areas) Act 1983 provides that the Minister, after consultation with the Council, may prescribe an area where nudity is permitted, or may revoke that previous approval. The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the Planning Minister need to leave Sunnyside North beach as clothing optional.

During Covid, many of us had so many of our freedoms removed or restricted. Now, there is an unnecessary push to remove yet another of our freedoms.

We believe that removal of the current legal right to be free of clothes on Sunnyside North beach would be in breach of Section 19 of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, and we are prepared to take action to fight for what is right.

Loss of this clothing optional beach would leave only two clothing optional beaches in Victoria, both near Torquay, far away from Metropolitan Melbourne.

PLEASE HELP US TO SAVE THE BEACH BY SIGNING OUR PETITION

You can help us to fight for the right to be clothes free at Sunnyside North Beach. Even if this is not something that you would do yourself, please support those for whom this is an important freedom to maintain. You have the option to keep your name and comments not for public display. Your email address will not be used commercially for any reason. We value your privacy.

We, the undersigned, petition the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the Planning Minister to:

Retain Sunnyside North beach Mt Eliza as clothing optional.