Manly, East Esplanade: Rowdy revellers locked out of beachfront party park
A notorious unofficial outdoor drinking spot on the northern beaches will be fenced off from revellers for at least three weeks.
Manly
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Authorities are set to fence off a notorious northern beaches unofficial outdoor party venue.
It comes after a massive spike in the number of rowdy revellers gathering at weekends and instances of disgusting anti-social behaviour.
Northern Beaches Council says it is will erect temporary barriers around East Esplanade Reserve on the harbour front at Manly for three weeks from Friday to repair wear and tear caused by increased usage during the Covid lockdown.
But neighbouring residents have been complaining that Friday and Saturday evening gatherings at the re\serve — known to locals as “The Office”— are getting out of control.
The council and police had been contacted about revellers defecating in public, urinating in private property and leaving huge amounts of litter behind.
There were also concerns the venue could spread Covid because people were partying “shoulder to shoulder” and not social distancing.
About 3000 people descended on the reserve last Saturday night.
It had an official capacity of 800.
The move also comes as relaxed Covid restrictions allow for groups of up to 30 people to gather together outside.
Deputy mayor Candy Bingham, who has been a supporter of alcohol being consumed in the reserve until 8pm, said the behaviour by some revellers “was not acceptable” and the temporary shut down of the park would act as a “circuit breaker”.
The park is patrolled by police and council rangers who stop people drinking at 8pm.
Ms Bingham, said on Tuesday that she had been speaking with council CEO Ray Brownlee about “what could be done” and told him that “we needed a circuit breaker”.
“The behaviour last weekend was just not acceptable and we need a circuit breaker to remind people that this is a public park for picnics, not a New Year’s Eve venue.
“And it’s not acceptable that hordes of people are using residents’ backyards and foyers as public toilets.
“It was particularly disgraceful last weekend.
“We will need to review our options after the circuit breaker”, Ms Bingham said.
The council did not directly answer a question from the Manly Daily if the reserve was being closed because of the recent spate of anti-social behaviour and large crowds.
It said the works were part of the council’s annual Turf Renovation Program.
“East Esplanade has been highly impacted during Covid and the wear and tear is evident,” Mayor Michael Regan said in a statement.
“With the local pubs and restaurants reopening this week we expect less demand for picnics in this area which gives us an opportunity to get in and get this work done now.
“We look forward to having the area reopened for people to enjoy ahead of summer.”
Liberal councillor Pat Daley, who has been pushing to have alcohol banned from the reserve, said the wider community would now be inconvenienced by the closure.
“It is sad that due to very poor public policy we now have to take this action, however there is no other option.
“Over the last two years I have heard a large number of horrendous stories from local residents who have been severely impacted by all this.”
Mr Daley predicted that revellers would move locations to drink at other reserves west of Manly including Fairlight and Delwood beaches as well as along West Esplanade.
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