Fun in the sun, no need for northern exposure

Crowds swarmed Bondi Beach at the weekend as thousands of people flocked to Sydney’s east to enjoy a post-Christmas burst of sun.

Sarah Kelly and Ross Dunne revel in the chance to take Paris the golden retriever for a dip at Bronte Beach rockpools in Sydney’s east on Sunday. Picture: Jane Dempster

Crowds swarmed Bondi Beach at the weekend as thousands of people flocked to Sydney’s east to enjoy a post-Christmas burst of sun.

As beachgoers headed down to the water loaded with tents and towels, the Harbour City’s eastern beaches heaved with activity, albeit with more social distancing.

“The fact we’ve managed to keep the virus at bay, and in the northern beaches, is a big achievement,” said Sarah Kelly, as she played with her golden retriever on the rocks at Bronte Beach.

“It’s a totally different story where I’m from in Scotland,” she said. “COVID is out of control there.”

Partner Ross Dunne, 31, agreed. “It’s pretty much paradise,” he said, adding that he was glad the couple weren’t stuck in the northern beaches. “I’m glad we can still get to the beach on this side of the bridge.”

A combination of temperatures exceeding 28C, and the fact the northern beaches remained under a strict lockdown at the weekend, saw thousands descend on the eastern beaches.

Waverley Council, which takes in Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches, held its nerve on Sunday and decided to keep the its beaches open.

People flock to Tamarama beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for a post-Christmas burst of summer heat. Jane Dempster

Randwick Council, taking in Clovelly, Coogee, and Maroubra beaches, also kept the red-and-yellow flags flying.

“I only know we can’t go to the northern beaches,” said Matthew Wade, a Parramatta resident sheltering under a tree at Coogee. “It’s the perfect day for the beach, so I’m not surprised it’s packed.”

The task of monitoring social distancing across Waverley and Randwick council beaches has been given to “beach ambassadors”, with NSW police currently not required to monitor COVID-19 restrictions.

If beachgoers flout social distancing rules, beach ambassadors are expected to step in and warn them that they must stay 1.5 metres or a “towel-length” apart unless they are from the same household.

NSW Health also made clear on Sunday that individual councils are responsible for deciding whether beaches could remain open, as confusion grew over the state’s current health orders.

Councils all along the NSW coast, including Greater Sydney and northern beaches, “should be aware” that there are no health orders stopping beaches being open for swimming, exercise or recreation, NSW Health said.

In March, NSW police were ordered to move people on if they believed the number of people on a beach had exceeded a 500 person limit.

On Sunday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard also agreed to loosen public health laws so residents locked down in Sydney’s northern beaches could use outdoor playground equipment and ocean pools.