Beach rules: What you can and can’t do around Port Phillip Bay during the coronavirus crisis
When Melbourne councils first closed beaches due to the coronavirus risk, there was confusion about what was allowed where. Now there is a single set of rules for all sandy stretches along the bay. SEE FULL LIST
South East
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Uniform restrictions are in place across bayside beaches as councils work together to avoid confusion.
The move comes after Mornington Peninsula Shire Council relaxed its tough no-beach stance to allow people to walk, run and swim there.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Sam Hearn said chief executives from councils along Port Phillip Bay had “put their heads together” on April 3 to discuss beach restrictions.
He said the councils had acted independently when first told by the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning to close beaches on Friday, March 27.
“Mornington Peninsula Shire decided to completely close our beaches which meant no access at all for any activity,” Cr Hearn said.
“It was a circuit breaker. We didn’t want people who had been ignoring the rules on city beaches coming here.”
Frankston Council also closed its beaches for all activities.
Other bayside councils closed beaches but still allowed residents to walk, run, swim and walk dogs there.
Cr Hearn said the different rules made it confusing for some people who did not “live their lives by council boundaries”.
“We didn’t want a situation where you could do one thing on one beach and something different on another beach just up the road.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire has lifted some of the restrictions allowing the beaches to be used as a thoroughfare and for exercise but Cr Hearn stressed it was not “business as usual”.
“We don’t want people thinking that especially not with a couple of nice days expected later this week and the fact that it’s the Easter long weekend.
“You can exercise there by running walking or having a short swim or to walk the dog. That’s it. No mass gatherings, no sunbaking, no hanging around.”
Frankston Council planned to allow access to beaches for activiteis including walking, running and swimming from 5am tomorrow (Wednesday).
Frankston City Mayor, Sandra Mayer, said the council understood that the closures had been
hard on residents, many of whom relied on them for important aspects of their everyday
lives.
“We are grateful to you all for being patient as we use every means possible to try and keep
you safe,” she said.
Port Phillip mayor Bernadene Voss confirmed that all beaches in the city were closed and reminded residents not to “linger or flout government gathering or social distancing requirements”.
Cr Voss said the rules would be enforced by Victorian Police and those caught breaking them faced a $1652 penalty.
Similar rules applied in the City of Kingston where all beaches, public playgrounds, skate parks, exercise equipment and barbecue areas are closed.
Kingston chief executive Julie Reid said walking and swimming at beaches was still allowed but “visits should be kept short”.
“Generally, the public have been doing the right thing and have been following the new temporary rules on our beaches and we hope that continues,” she said.
Bayside Council Director of Environment, Recreation and Infrastructure Adam McSwain said all of Bayside beaches would remain closed to help mitigate the risk and spread of COVID-19.
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He said the foreshore area could still be used for essential exercise.
“Bayside is a connected and responsible community and we urge our residents to do the right thing,” he said.