ALCOHOL will be banned across Coogee for the entire summer after a party on Christmas Day left the beach looking like a rubbish dump.

Randwick Mayor Noel D'Souza confirmed the ban.

“The poor and inappropriate behaviour of a few on Christmas Day have forced Council to introduce a total alcohol ban for the area for summer,” he said.

“The public outrage to the devastation of the parks and beach itself on Christmas Day has been quite phenomenal.

“It is disappointing we have to take such a strong stance, but we need to reassure the community that they can feel safe when visiting and enjoying the jewel in the crown of Randwick City, Coogee Beach.”

The ban will be enforced from Thursday in hopes of decreasing anti-social behaviour over the new year period after more than 10,000 revellers turned up on Christmas Day.

media_camera The mess which has been left at Coogee Beach following Christmas Day celebrations on the water front. Picture: Christopher Ryan





Coogee Surf Life Saving Club governor Tony Waller was on the beach on Christmas Day, he said that there was “no warning” about the party, which quickly became too hard to control.

Lifeguards left the area about 7.30pm concerned for their safety.

Randwick Council had previously tried to crack down on this behaviour after introducing new rules to limit drinking between 12 noon and 4pm on December 13.

media_camera Randwick Mayor Noel D'Souza confirmed the ban today.

Randwick Police confirmed they would be patrolling the area over New Year’s Eve, but would not be sending extra officers.

Inspector Cath Bradbury of Randwick Police said they had a high visibility operation in place every year in Coogee.

media_camera More of the mess at Coogee Beach after the Christmas Day mass drinking session. Picture: Christopher Ryan

“We have police down at Coogee for an operation over New Year’s Eve every year,” she said.

“This year will be no different.

“Most places like Coogee where there are fireworks are very busy every year but we will not be having an extra patrols in place.”

The Fitzpatrick family have lived around Coogee for most of their lives, they said the summer had always been busy with party goers.

“We were living up on Coogee Bay Rd about 15 years ago and it was bad then with backpackers around New Year’s Eve,” Greg Fitzpatrick said.

“The beach is always crazy every year — people drink on the beach all the time even though they are not supposed to.”

Gabriella Fitzpatrick said it had gotten worse in recent years.

“It is a nightmare now — I wouldn’t even bother going down on new years.” she said.

Police were out in force Tuesday afternoon cracking down on anyone who flouted the current 4pm drinking cut off.

media_camera Police enforcing the 4pm alcohol ban at Coogee Beach. Picture: Adam Yip

FAMILY REACTION

FAMILIES at the beach said the broken glass and trash were disgusting however banning drinking altogether was an over-reaction.

“We’re parents now so for us it is great for the safety of our kids, but if we were younger we would be peeved off,” Meshleen Jabbour said.

“It is the Aussie way to have a beer by the beach ... this is about people having personal accountability.”

Penrith man Glen Johnston, who was having a drink to celebrate his stepdaughter’s birthday, said he was disappointed at how strict it would now be in the coming months.

He said more bins and better police presence should have been tried first.

However Clovelly mum Sandra Labudova said that she was happy there would be no alcohol personally — although she thought a total ban was a bit strict.

“I think it is really noisy here so it is a good idea to limit it … but it shouldn’t be banned completely.”