Organisers of illegal Melbourne beach parties fined after large crowds gather

The organisers of two ‘illegal’ Melbourne beach parties have been fined after a large crowd was filmed gathered at a secluded beach.

The organisers of two “illegal” Melbourne beach parties have been fined after large crowds gathered in breach of coronavirus restrictions.

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville told reporters the organisers of two gatherings where guests failed to leave once police arrived had been “fined and charged”.

She said police were aware of parties at four Melbourne beaches last weekend. Large crowds gathered to drink and socialise as the temperature spiked above 30C.

Outdoor gatherings in a public places are limited to 10 people under the current chief health officer directions.

At least 100 partygoers were filmed on a secluded beach in Melbourne’s southeast on Sunday, while police are also investigating a DJ event in St Kilda.

Most revellers weren’t wearing masks as they drank and danced at Half Moon Bay in Black Rock before police arrived and asked them to move on.

Revellers at a secluded beach in Black Rock in Melbourne on Sunday.

The gathering breached the chief health officer’s directions.

Ms Neville said police refrained from fining every partygoer as they took on more of a “reassurance role” as coronavirus cases remain at low levels in Victoria.

People at two other parties who left as soon as police arrived were spared fines from police.

“In this environment, if people are listening and not blatantly trying to challenge police on the directions, that’s a great outcome and that’s what we need to see,” Ms Neville told reporters on Wednesday.

Crowds gather at St Kilda beach on Sunday night. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“Victoria Police are using their discretion to do much more of that reassurance and information and advice but continuing to fine those people who are blatantly, deliberately (breaching the rules).”

Victoria Police said 23 fines were issued in Victoria over the weekend for breaching coronavirus restrictions, including five to people not wearing masks at Half Moon Bay on Sunday.

When asked about the “illegal” gatherings on Monday, Premier Daniel Andrews urged Victorians to guard and protect the “precious” low case levels that the state had built.

“I know people want to get back to normal, but none of us have the right, or any entitlement, to get to this place where we say to ourselves and our mates that this is over because I want it to be,” he said.

“The people involved in that sort of activity they know that’s not the right thing to do. Deep down they really do.”