Daily London
Last year more than 15,000 people gathered at Bronte Beach for the annual ‘Backpacker Christmas’ gathering.
The popular eastern suburbs hotspot is less than a kilometre away from Bondi Beach.
Mayor Will Nemesh said councillors were concerned about the risks to public safety at the “non-sanctioned and unauthorised gathering”.
“Right now, half of Bronte Park is off limits to the public while the development of the new Bronte Surf Life Saving Club is under way, so the space available to the public is tight,” Nemesh said.
“This means temporary fencing, a drastic reduction in open space and only narrow channels available to move around seriously compromise crowd flow.
“On top of that, just a stone’s throw down the road, is where 15 people tragically lost their lives in an unspeakable and barbaric attack on our treasured Jewish community.
“We ask anyone planning to go to this non-sanctioned event at Bronte to please consider both of these very important factors.”
Nemesh said the large number of attendees was a huge challange for council staff at any time of the year.
“This year, that kind of crowd is simply not safe, so this gathering cannot take place.
“Council’s message to those hoping to party at Bronte is clear and stern, do not come.
“This is not the time or place for this gathering.”
If the event goes ahead, council will focus on limiting the impact of the event on the local community including “excessive noise, anti-social behaviour, and litter”.
Partygoers will face a heavier police and security presence, including checkpoints, to help enforce alcohol and glass bans.
An emergency services area, extra toilet facilities, water stations and other crowd management measures is also expected be in place.
The council has also engaged professional event cleaners to remove the site of rubbish.
“Council’s preference is that a gathering of this nature and size does not take place,” Nemesh said.
