Waverley Council to spend extra $220,000 to manage 'out of control' beach Christmas Day party
Sydney's Waverley Council will spend an extra $220,000 to manage a backpackers Christmas party that drew 15,000 people to a beach last year.
The extra thousands of dollars will be spent on waste management, security, toilets and more enforcement of a ban on glass at Bronte Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Bronte resembled a sea of mostly red-clad partygoers at the gathering at Christmas Day last year, which has been branded an "orphans" Christmas for travellers celebrating the holiday away from home.
However, large piles of rubbish being left behind frustrated residents, prompting the local council to consider action.
Bronte local Warren Livingstone told 702 ABC Radio Sydney the park behind the beach is "out of control" on Christmas Day and often is often left covered in bottletops and crushed glass.
"I can't see any locals enjoying it. Without being a wowser, I just can't see how it's good for the community."
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said council did not want to restrict access to public spaces.
"We heard the community loud and clear after Christmas in 2024," Cr Nemesh told 702 ABC Radio Sydney.
"But at the same time, where visitors come to Waverley we want them to be respectful, particularly of our locals."
Cr Nemesh said there would be more bins and greater enforcement of a glass ban on the day.
He also said council paid for the police to attend the beach last year.
Waverley Council said the 15,000 people who visited the beach on Christmas Day last year was a 20 per cent increase compared to the year before.
Council was also concerned about there being less space at Bronte on Christmas this year due to construction work at the surf club.
Councillors were also presented with the option of turning Bronte into a fenced-off, alcohol-free ticketed event on Christmas Day.
Waverley Council did not vote in favour of this option.
An online survey run by council found the greatest support for increasing rubbish collection and security, with 56 per cent of the 119 responses.
The option to fence off the park only garnered 25 per cent support.
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