Northern Beaches Councillor Pat Daley: Manly backpackers should ‘live by our rules’

A Manly councillor is calling for a popular outdoor drinking spot favoured by backpackers to remain alcohol free even after the COVID-19 crisis is over.

People enjoying a picnic and an alcoholic beverage at East Esplanade Reserve, Manly, before COVID-19. Picture: Troy Snook

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Backpackers need to “live by our rules not theirs”, according to a councillor who is calling for well-known northern beaches party spots to be policed over the Easter weekend.

Cr Pat Daley told the Manly Daily that East Esplanade and Shelly Beach are two areas frequented by backpackers and that over the long weekend the areas must be patrolled to ensure people are abiding by the social distancing rules.

Pat Daley pictured near Manly Wharf. Picture: Damian Shaw

He also added that once COVID-19 is resolved he is determined to ensure that Manly is cleaned up and the alcohol and drug-fuelled backpacker parties outlawed.

“East Esplanade has gone back to being an alcohol free zone,” Cr Daley said.

“I’m determined it will not be returned.

“This latest situation will be the catalyst for a whole new order in Manly when we come out of COVID-19.

“People are over it and how Manly has gone in the last couple of years.

“Those people with visas and backpackers have got to play by our rules, not by theirs.”

Shelly Beach at Manly has been the site of some anti-social behaviour involving alcohol consumption, which is banned in the area. Picture: Troy Snook.

Cr Daley spoke out after a concerned resident raised the issue with him this week.

He said he has contacted Northern Beaches Council’s CEO Ray Brownlee asking him to remove a portable toilet from East Esplanade in case it encourages people to think the area is open for gatherings.

The spot known by locals as “the office” has been a subject of controversy over the years with residents regularly voicing concerns about crowds of young people drinking, behaving badly and urinating on the grass near the wharf until late at night.

It is now an alcohol free zone following the introduction of strict social distancing rules.

A Northern Beaches Council spokesman said the portable toilet is locked and will be removed soon.

He added that council rangers will be out in force over the long weekend ensuring people are abiding by social distancing rules.