Tamarama beach volleyball: Waverley Council orders review

For two decades volleyballers have been a constant at an eastern suburbs beach. But battlelines are being drawn as a campaign against them gathers pace.

UPDATE

Volleyball players are pleading with the "silent majority" to pledge their support as they face being banned from an iconic eastern suburbs beaches.

As first reported in the Wentworth Courier in March, Waverley Council is undertaking public consultation, due to wrap up on Monday, about how volleyball is played at Bondi and Tamarama beaches.

It is understood more than 1000 submissions have flooded in.

A report by officers outlining the results of the public consultation will be put before Council at the June 22 meeting.

Player Jack Lowenstein said he had been inundated with support from beachgoers since the story broke.

He urged locals to make a submission to council supporting the players as he feared the games may be severely restricted if not banned outright.

Tim Stanton & Adelaida Ducat photographed during a volleyball match at Tamarama Beach. Picture / Monique Harmer

"I would beg them to because they are, I suspect, the silent majority who’ve never had a problem," Mr Lowenstein said.

"The risk here is a tiny majority could undermine and destroy a community.

"I’m nervous we are going to get forced into a compromise just so they (council) can be seen to be balanced.  

"It’s a really wonderful that thing complete strangers can meet and become friends which is not an easy thing to do in this world."

In a statement, Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said she was reserving judgement until the public consultation had completed.

"We are keen to hear if people think that the rules of play for volleyball at these beaches is adequate, if players are complying with the rules and if the number and location of beach volleyball courts is sufficient or if it needs to change," Mayor Masselos said.

"Council has never said that it is considering banning volleyball, nor has it speculated on the potential outcomes of the consultation. Community consultations are still being undertaken and upon completion, a report will come to Council in June."

To make a submission visit  haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au

EARLIER 

BY EMILY MACDONALD ON MARCH 17 2021

A group of social volleyballers who have been playing on Tamarama Beach for the past 20 years are worried they could be forced off the sand after a flood of complaints in recent months.

The group first started playing at Tamarama during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 when their usual spot on Bondi Beach was overtaken by the temporary stadium.

The players, who communicate through a series of WhatsApp and Facebook groups but do not play competitively and welcome all to join in, negotiated a set of guidelines with council as to how they would use the beach and the local plan of management permits their presence.

This includes setting up no more than four temporary nets at any one time, using soft balls and agreeing to reduce the number of courts should a council officer deem it to be unsustainable at any given time.

However, due to recent complaints which have raised issues such as occupational health and safety and monopolisation of the sand, Waverley Council has confirmed it is revisiting the issue.

“Waverley Council is preparing to launch a community consultation to seek feedback on beach volleyball activity on Bondi and Tamarama Beaches,” a council spokesman said.

“The purpose of the consultation is to seek community views on the current beach volleyball rules at Bondi and Tamarama, and whether they are sufficient or need to change.”

North Bondi’s Jack Lowenstein is one of the foundation members of the group which now numbers several hundred players, some whom play weekly and others only on the odd occasion.

“Claims we are taking up space on the beach and taking it away from other users is just not true,” Mr Lowenstein said.

“Anyone who knows Tamarama knows anyone who comes here wants to sit by the water – not in the back where we set up.”

Tim Stanton, Jack Lowenstein, Adelaida Ducat, Vincent Bourgarel, Ian Leete & Ellena Young enjoy the social and fitness aspect of the games. Picture / Monique Harmer

His claims are backed up by Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club president Tim Murray.

Mr Murray, who is running as a Labor candidate in the upcoming local government election, said he welcomed the volleyballers both as club president and as a prospective councillor.

“Tamarama Beach is never full, even on a hot day. Most of the people take their towels towards the front of the beach,” Mr Murray said.

“We’re almost never in conflict and if we are, we just go over to the guys and say ‘hey why don’t you just keep two courts up for now and leave the other two down?’ and its always amicably resolved.

“One of the great things about living here is our outdoor spaces. It’s so easy to be healthy here and beach volley ball is just one example of that.”

Chris Robinson, a Tamarama resident for all of his 64 years, contacted his local ward councillor Tony Kay to raise his concerns about the volleyballers in October.

Mr Robinson, a former lifeguard and regular beach user, said as a new grandfather he had become increasingly concerned about the safety of small children on the beach and so has continued to lobby council on the issue in recent months.

Ian Leete pictured takes a hit. Picture / Monique Harmer

He said he has witnessed up to seven courts set up on the sand with neither the council rangers nor group organisers heeding his pleas to enforce the agreed rules of engagement.

Acting as mediator, Cr Kay brought both sides together for an informal meeting earlier this month in an attempt to reach a compromise.

“People tell me all the time ‘there’s no one on the sand’. Well I say there’s no one on the sand because the volleyball players are always there,” Mr Robinson said.

“They say ‘we’ve always had this’ but as I said at the meeting the other day, well perhaps it’s time to review.

“The group organisers need to get down there and read the Riot Act to say stop spreading out, stop setting too many courts up and allow beach users to walk past.

Tim Stanton pictured with the ball. Picture / Monique Harmer

“The amount of courts being played and the area they take up is just too great.”

Cr Kay said he still hoped to reach a resolution that was satisfactory to all parties but had been frustrated by the reluctance of council officers to get involved until recently.

“This issue has polarised the local community,” Cr Kay said.

“Although the Tamarama Park Plan of Management (circa 2007) allows volleyball, there have been serious concerns raised by local residents.

“I have been focusing on a process to resolve the matters raised and identify how council can balance the use of Tamarama Beach by volleyballers and other beach goers.

“I have wanted Council to take responsibility for this process for some time but they were not willing to do so until very recently, when it was agreed that a formal report would come to council on beach volleyball at both Tamarama and Bondi.

Jack Lowenstein says the volleyball games have been played for decades without incident. Picture: Monique Harmer

“I am pleased that my request to the Acting General Manager for stakeholder consultation prior to finalisation of the report has been accepted so that all voices can be heard and fully informed recommendations made to council prior to the Tamarama Park Plan of Management being reviewed later this year.”

Mr Robinson, who said an informal poll of fellow residents showed many shared his concerns, also plans to start a petition against the volleyball games.