Koori anger over council beach bans

06.04.2010

SIGNS warning swimmers
they could be fined $100
for venturing into the
water at the unpatrolled
McCauleys Beach have upset
representatives from
the nearby Sandon Point
Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
Tent embassy representative
Roy "Dootch" Kennedy
said the beach was
part of a declared Aboriginal
site but the council
had not consulted the Aboriginal
land council or
the community about banning
swimmers.
The sign also indicates
that a $100 fine applies for
other prohibited activities
including walking dogs
and driving vehicles on
the beach.
"I consider this an absolute
insult," Mr Kennedy
said. "That is public open
space and what offends me
is the council haven't discussed
this with the community.
"In the 10 years I have
lived here, not one person
has drowned at this
beach."
Wollongong City Council
has defended the new
signs, which have also
been erected at Coledale's
Sharkeys Beach.
The council's beach services
co-ordinator Jason
Foye said the "no flags, no
swim" message was not
new, but the signs had
been redesigned to make
the message clearer.
He said the signs were a
reminder that under the
Local Government Act,
lifeguards had the ability
to issue warnings or fines
to individuals for activities
banned on beaches,
depending on the circumstances.
But he said no-one had
Roori anger
over council
beach bans
Against the signs: Roy "Dootch' Kennedy at McCauleys Beach. Picture MELANIE RUSSELI
ever been fined for swimtning
at an unpatrolled
beach.
"Council 's past and continued
approach will focus
on providing precautionary
advice and has never
led to individuals being
fined for swimming at an
unpatrolled beach," Mr
Foye said.
"The signs are really
about encouraging people,
reinforcing the no flags,
no swim' message and assisting
the public to not
put themselves in danger."