Randwick City Council and Police from the Eastern Beaches Local Area Command today, Wednesday 25 November 2020, outlined plans to keep visitors to the eastern suburbs beaches safe this summer.

The plan targets visitors and regular users of some of Sydney’s most popular beaches including Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Malabar, Little Bay and La Perouse.

Eastern Beaches Police Area Commander, Superintendent Rohan Cramsie, said visitors are urged to plan ahead and to expect a different holiday experience during the summer months this year.

“Officers will be focusing on policing licensed premises, public spaces and entertainment precincts in an effort to decrease anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence, while also ensuring adherence to current Public Health Orders,” Superintendent Rohan Cramsie

“We want people to enjoy themselves, but for us to continue to manage public safety through the pandemic, our communities and visitors to the area need to work with us – not against us.”

Randwick Mayor Danny Said explains that this summer is going to be different and urged people to remain cautious and mindful of social distancing.

“There’s nothing more Sydney than a summer’s day out at the beach, but we all know that this summer is going to be different,” explains Randwick Mayor Danny Said.

“While it’s pleasing to see some COVID restrictions easing, we all still need to remain vigilant and practice social distancing.

“Our beaches are important destinations and are goal this summer is to keep them open. We’re asking for the public’s help in ensuring crowd numbers don’t exceed safe capacities,” explains Mayor Said.

People heading to the beach this summer are encouraged to follow these six steps:

1. Check the COVID crowd capacity rating (coming soon) and live beach cams on our website before leaving home.
2. Wear a mask while getting to the beach if social distancing isn’t possible.
3. Keep a towel’s length (1.5m) apart from other beach goers.
4. Leave the beach once you’ve had a swim;
5. Visit outside of peak times such as during the week, early mornings and evenings; and
6. Come back at a different time if the beach is busy.

Council’s website will be updated each day with a COVID Crowd Capacity rating (coming soon), which will give beachgoers the opportunity to pick the time of day and best beach to attend.

Each beach will be rated in terms of its crowd capacity based on ensuring space for at least 1 person per 4 square metres.

Beach COVID Crowd Capacity ratings:

• Quiet. Open and adequate space for social distancing.
• Busy. Open but crowd numbers are increasing.
• Nearing capacity. Very busy. People are strongly advised not to visit and make alternative plans.
• Closed. Do not visit. Safe COVID crowd numbers have now been exceeded.

The initiative is part of a $1.2M plan by Randwick Council which also includes dedicated COVID marshals, live cameras and drones.

Key components of the plan include:

• COVID marshals to work as required over summer on weekends and public holidays;
• New live cameras to be installed at La Perouse, Frenchmans Bay, Yarra Bay and Gordons Bay (in addition to existing live cams at Coogee, Clovelly, Maroubra, Malabar and Little Bay) providing beach goers with real time information on beach conditions and crowd capacity;
• Four drones will be purchased to monitor beach numbers using artificial intelligence software;
• Temporary toilet facilities at Clovelly, Maroubra, Coogee, La Perouse, Frenchmans Bay and Yarra Bay to reduce queues and increase capacity;
• A new staircase at Little Bay Beach to provide separated entry and exit points for beachgoers providing more space for social distancing;
• Large variable message signage (VMS) at key locations such as the approach to La Perouse to communicate beach conditions and access issues such as when parking is at capacity;

“This plan is about ensuring we can provide a COVID-safe approach to our open spaces over summer,” says Randwick Mayor Danny Said.

“Access to open spaces and beaches is important to provide for the physical and mental health and well-being of locals and visitors.

“COVID marshals will be out and about providing a prominent visual reminder of the need to social distance and I encourage people to follow their advice for everyone’s health and wellbeing.

“Additional technology such as live beach cameras and a COVID crowd capacity rating will give people real time information to inform their choices before they leave home.

“Importantly, the plan also provides us with the ability to scale our response depending on applicable Public Health Orders at the time. We do not know how the restrictions on open spaces will change this summer, but our plan provides the flexibility to adapt as required,” explains Mayor Said.

For more information on how to summer safely visit www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus

Media enquiries:

• Randwick Council Joshua Hay 0402 351 459
• NSW Police Media 02 8263 6100