Half Moon Bay ravers put on police notice
Bayside Council has vowed to pull the plug on dangerous, illegal beach parties at Half Moon Bay. The secluded beach flanked by cliffs attracts thousands of revellers in the summer.
Inner South
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The days of Half Moon Bay ravers making the annual summer pilgrimage to the Black Rock foreshore are over, police warn.
Police and Bayside Council have vowed to pull the plug on the illegal beach dance parties, which have caused a headache for authorities over several years.
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Secluded sections of Half Moon Bay and Black Rock Beach appeal to rave organisers as they are difficult to access.
The sophisticated events with live DJs are attended by hundreds of people who respond to invites via coded social media posts.
The crackdown comes after a large illegal rave codenamed “Owen Wilson’s Birthday” was shut down by police and council officers during a joint operation on Sunday, November 18.
The organisers were caught setting up at the foreshore at the bottom of the cliffs near Love St about midday.
Bayside CIU detective Sergeant John Burgess said police were not against people having fun as long as it was done safely.
“We have safety concerns about unauthorised rave parties on the Black Rock foreshore and if they don’t have permits then we are going to shut them down,” he said.
“These raves are held near unstable cliffs so there is potential for injury, property damage.”
Sgt Burgess said police would monitor social media.
“There have been several illegal raves held at Black Rock beach in recent times but we expect more will be planned as we head into summer,” he said.
Bayside city planning and amenity director Hamish Reid said it was an offence to hold an event that may “unreasonably impact” on other members of the community.
“This is to ensure the fair sharing of limited open space and the maximum enjoyment of the community,” he said.
“If residents observe any illegal activity we ask them to contact Victoria Police.”
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