BBC comes knocking over Mornington Peninsula ‘beach hogs’
Cabana-gate at Safety Beach has gone global as the local mayor faces questions from international media.
South East
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Cabana-gate has gone global as the Mornington Peninsula mayor faces questions from international media.
Anthony Marsh was surprised to receive a call from the BBC in the UK on Wednesday, requesting an interview about the “unAustralian” act of using cabanas to reserve prime spots on the beach.
“I can’t believe this issue has caught the attention of people on the other side of the world,” he told the Herald Sun.
“And it all started here in Safety Beach!”
The Herald Sun on Monday revealed that beachgoers were setting up their cabanas, tents and chairs as early as 6.30am and then leaving to return later in the day to claim the space.
The move sparked fierce debate on social media and a poll on heraldsun.com.au, which had more than 6000 votes, showed 71 per cent of people were against “bagsing” sand.
Even the PM weighed in on the beach hogs.
“It’s not on,” he said when asked about the act by Today Show host Alex Cullen.
“One of the great things about Australia — unlike some parts of the world (where) you go and you’ve got to pay to go to the beach — here, everyone owns the beach. Everyone.
“And it’s a place where every Australian is equal.
“That’s a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.”
Mr Marsh said while he agreed the act was “unAustralian” there was little the council could do to stop it.
“It’s not like we can chalk the cabana and come back to check if it’s moved,” he said.
“And it doesn’t have a rego.”
The shire could consider introducing a local by-law to manage beach furniture but the move would have to be initiated by a councillor.