NEWCASTLE council rangers have cracked down on campers illegally set up along the coast over the Easter long weekend.
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Camping is prohibited at all of Newcastle's public parks, reserves, beaches and associated car parks, including Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle Beach, Bar Beach, Dixon Park Beach, Merewether Beach and anywhere in the Merewether public precinct.
Last week rangers and police raided a campsite at Camp Shortland, behind Horseshoe Beach, asking a group of homeless men to move on.
Newcastle council's regulatory services manger Andrew Baxter said people were often unaware of the potential problems that could arise by driving into the reserves and setting up camp.
"There is a risk of damage to parks and reserves as well as other park infrastructure and parks and reserves are not equipped with sufficient toilet facilities to cope with campers," he said.
"There is also the potential for an adverse environmental impact if campers dispose of wastewater either onto the ground or into the harbour."