A CENTRAL Queensland nudist retreat has a problem — too many single males showing up, making nude females feel uncomfortable. David and Elaine Gray went to a tribunal to try to get an exemption under the Anti-Discrimination Act, allowing them to limit the number of unaccompanied males at the resort.
The couple run Savannah Park Nudist Retreat near Yeppoon, “for people who enjoy the nudist lifestyle’’ since 2008.
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“As it is illegal to go nude in public we are one of the a few establishments that supply a safe and private place for people who like to go nude,’’ the Grays said in their application documents.
“We are not a swingers/sex club but a property where people who prefer to go nude can do so in a safe and private environment without upsetting other members of the community.’’
The couple told Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal they did not want to ban unaccompanied males, but wanted to manage numbers “so they don’t overpower the venue’’.
“Many women have commented that they feel uneasy when there are large numbers of males in this special situation,’’ they said.
“It is our aim to give everybody a safe and relaxing environment for them to enjoy.’’
The Grays said they had seen similar nudist properties overrun with unaccompanied males, resulting in couples and unaccompanied females no longer attending.
Last year the resort booked in 161 female and 205 male guests.
The couple said if there was an exemption against discrimination on the basis of sex they could legally limit unaccompanied males by the amount of couples on the grounds at the time.
They proposed that for every three couples they would accept one unaccompanied male.
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Kevin Cocks said in a letter to the tribunal there was a public interest in males and females feeling safe and comfortable accessing services and facilities.
“This is consistent with the granting of exemptions to accommodate the comfort of women in fitness centres,’’ he said.
In three previous tribunal cases fitness centres have been given exemptions to allow “women-only’’ areas without discrimination.
Mr Cocks said where the balance of males and females was disproportionate an exemption might be appropriate, if it was done fairly and transparently.
On Wednesday the Grays withdrew their application after senior tribunal member Clare Endicott said they had not provided sufficient evidence for her to make a decision.
The couple run Savannah Park Nudist Retreat near Yeppoon, “for people who enjoy the nudist lifestyle’’ since 2008.
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“As it is illegal to go nude in public we are one of the a few establishments that supply a safe and private place for people who like to go nude,’’ the Grays said in their application documents.
“We are not a swingers/sex club but a property where people who prefer to go nude can do so in a safe and private environment without upsetting other members of the community.’’
The couple told Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal they did not want to ban unaccompanied males, but wanted to manage numbers “so they don’t overpower the venue’’.
“Many women have commented that they feel uneasy when there are large numbers of males in this special situation,’’ they said.
“It is our aim to give everybody a safe and relaxing environment for them to enjoy.’’
The Grays said they had seen similar nudist properties overrun with unaccompanied males, resulting in couples and unaccompanied females no longer attending.
Last year the resort booked in 161 female and 205 male guests.
The couple said if there was an exemption against discrimination on the basis of sex they could legally limit unaccompanied males by the amount of couples on the grounds at the time.
They proposed that for every three couples they would accept one unaccompanied male.
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Kevin Cocks said in a letter to the tribunal there was a public interest in males and females feeling safe and comfortable accessing services and facilities.
“This is consistent with the granting of exemptions to accommodate the comfort of women in fitness centres,’’ he said.
In three previous tribunal cases fitness centres have been given exemptions to allow “women-only’’ areas without discrimination.
Mr Cocks said where the balance of males and females was disproportionate an exemption might be appropriate, if it was done fairly and transparently.
On Wednesday the Grays withdrew their application after senior tribunal member Clare Endicott said they had not provided sufficient evidence for her to make a decision.
