Two Melbourne Councils Have Threatened to Close Their Beaches Because of Rule-Breakers

Busy scenes at St Kilda Beach and its surrounds over the weekend have led two local councils to unleash strong warnings for those ignoring public health directives. After crowds gathered beachside to take advantage of the warmer weather, with some reportedly ignoring social distancing guidelines, City of Port Phillip has come out swinging, taking to Facebook to warn the rule-breakers.

"Unfortunately, if we have large crowds of people doing the wrong thing, then we will have no choice but to close the beach or park as a last resort," Council CEO Peter Smith explained in a post yesterday. "We are extremely disappointed by the number of people who breached the Victorian Chief Health Officer's orders," he said, labelling the crowd's behaviour as "unacceptable" and warning that such actions could delay Melbourne's reopening efforts.

The mayor of Bayside Council Clarke Martin echoed this sentiment in a statement to The Sunday Age, saying, "my message to Bayside residents and anyone who wants to come down to the beach is not to. Please, just stay away for another two or three weeks and let this virus eat itself out."

A Victoria Police spokesperson said that while the "vast majority of Victorians" had displayed good behaviour over the weekend, there were still some who'd flouted the rules, "with a number of arrests made and infringement notices issued". The spokesperson reminded Melburnians that police will continue to be out in force patrolling popular public spots and handing out fines.

Meanwhile, City of Port Phillip is currently working on finalising its Play It Safe summer management plan, with a few of the key measures also trialled over the busy weekend. They include the installation of social distancing circles — similar to the ones that have popped up in Prahran — at South Beach Reserve. The St Kilda markers range between three and four metres in diameter, with the larger ones designed to cater for group exercise. They're spaced 1.5 metres apart, in keeping with the DHSS's social-distancing guidelines.

The Council also says it's bumped up policing of the sites, having put additional Local Laws officers on the ground and "worked closely with the police to ensure an increased police presence". As it implements further measures in the coming months, expect to also see new pedestrian areas and expanded footpath dining precincts.

You can check out all of metropolitan Melbourne's current restrictions over at the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.

Top image: St Kilda Beach by Matteo Artizzu via Flickr.