Anger as crowds force closure of Bondi to Bronte walk
A surging crowd of people exercising along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk has forced authorities to shut it down for the first time. Eastern suburbs Mayors Paula Masselos and Danny Said have blasted people for not observing social distancing rules and potentially spreading COVID-19.
NSW Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Surging crowds exercising along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk has forced local authorities to shut it down for the first time.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos and Randwick Mayor Danny Said have blasted people for not observing social distancing rules and potentially spreading COVID-19.
Ms Masselos said they had to close the walk at about 9am - mainly because of the overwhelming numbers of people.
“There was simply no respect for social distancing and we had to shut it down because the crowds were just building and building,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.
Council rangers now have the power to fine people who trespass in areas that the council has signposted as closed.
Police have also been on the scene.
The council may re-open the walk this afternoon depending on risks.
“We found that the situation was fine on Friday until about 4.30 pm when the sun came out, then everyone was there,” she said.
“There have been some people who are abusing council rangers and climbing fences that we have put up for people’s safety.
“We are urging people to go elsewhere for their exercise or stay home.”
Councils in Sydney’s eastern suburbs have kept beaches closed in Randwick, Waverley, Woollahra and Bayside Council areas.
This includes Bondi, Coogee, Maroubra and Brighton-Le-Sands beaches.
Randwick Mayor Danny Said said his council area has not seen an overflow of people going south to do the walk between Bronte and Maroubra.
He said if crowds surge afternoon, they would be forced to close some parts that walk.
Randwick Council has already closed off certain areas of the coastal walk - mainly around Gordons Bay - where the path is thin.
“It is very annoying that people don’t get it and the message is not sinking in,” he said.
“Everyone feels that the state government should be stronger in this by having real edicts rather than just pussyfooting around and letting this happen.”
On the northern beaches all beaches remain open apart from Dee Why, Manly, Shelley, Queenscliff and North Steyne.
All beach carparks on the northern beaches have been limited to 1 hour to encourage people to exercise and then move on quickly.