Manly East Esplanade: COVID-19 fears after drinkers flout rules to party by beach
Concerns have been voiced that a popular northern beaches party spot known as ‘The Office’ could become the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak, following claims that up to 1000 people gathered there recently and there was a lack of social distancing.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Moves are being made to officially ban alcohol at a favourite outdoor drinking spot in Manly after claims that up to 1000 people have been gathering there at weekends and not social distancing.
And it is mainly the well-heeled of the northern beaches who are flouting the rules, not backpackers, according to one resident.
Cr Pat Daley said he will be putting in a motion at the next council meeting to make East Esplanade a 24-hour alcohol-free zone.
The site, known to locals as ‘The Office’, has long been controversial, with residents complaining about people using their front yards as toilets, noise late at night, anti-social behaviour and litter, including broken glass left on the grass and sand.
Supporters say it is a nice place to sit and watch the sun go down with a couple of drinks.
While drinking was allowed between 4pm and 8pm, the council decided to ban it during the pandemic to dissuade people from congregating at the reserve.
“There are two large electronic boards which alert people to the fact drinking is not permitted, but they are being ignored,” Cr Daley said.
“The area has turned into a massive beer garden.”
He said over the past couple of weekends hundreds of people have gathered on the grass and footpath to drink, and some are even drinking on the beach, where alcohol has never been allowed.
He said coming into summer the behaviour at this spot will increasingly pose a serious risk to the health of people on the northern beaches and could easily become the source of a COVID-19 outbreak, if just one person with the virus attends.
Cr Daley said he has forwarded his concerns to Health Minister Brad Hazzard, MP James Griffin, the council’s CEO Ray Brownlee and the local police.
He said at the moment it is unclear whether it is the council or the police that is responsible for enforcing the no-drinking policy.
He said he understands if his motion officially banning alcohol at the spot passes it will give police powers to take action.
Local resident John Partridge has long protested about allowing drinking at the site.
He claims that up to 1000 people were at the beach reserve two weeks ago.
“It is a den of iniquity,” he said.
“The foul youth of Australia are doing what they wish when they wish in defiance of all common decency.
“It’s not really backpackers. It is mostly the well-heeled of the northern beaches aged between 18 and 45.”
Mr Partridge added that while there are “people whose lives are in tatters with job loss, separation from family, wearing masks and yet in excess of a thousand on Saturday night committing all kinds of civil disobedience … it’s like something from a bad apocalyptic movie.”
He said despite calling police, people are not being fined.
Northern Beaches Council CEO, Ray Brownlee said East Esplanade Reserve is a very popular location for locals and visitors.
“Our aim is to ensure it is available for people to enjoy without causing undue impact on the surrounding residents,” he said.
“Council rangers work closely with NSW Police to ensure all areas designated as alcohol-free zones are enforced effectively.
“Rangers are authorised by the Commissioner of NSW Police to confiscate alcohol in designated zones.”
A NSW Police spokesman said beaches, parks and other public spaces are managed by the council and people should heed the public health boards.
“If you get asked by a lifeguard on the beach, or a park ranger in the park or a police officer to move as the number of people in the community is above the allowed limit please obey these instructions,” he said.