Beachgoers have been urged to act responsibly this festive season after a popular Sydney park was left covered in rubbish last Christmas.
Waverley City Council has issued the warning to people planning to spend Christmas Day in Brontë Park in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Last year, locals were furious after plastic bottles, countless red cups and food packaging were left strewn across the park after up to 10,000 people attended.
Still outraged by the fallout from last year’s festivities, one local took to social media to ask if they were “likely to see a repeat of this again.”
Local councilor Joshua Spicer commented on the post to try to calm concerns and said the council planned to implement new cleaning measures this year.
“This includes additional rangers, security and police, a dedicated cleanup crew with more dumpsters and garbage trucks,” Spicer wrote.
“This has been a key priority for us and we are confident that these steps will make a big difference this year.”
He added that Brontë Park will receive “crowd control lanes and temporary toilets” under the council’s Summer Safe programme.
New clean-up measures will be implemented this year after litter was left in Brontë Park last Christmas Day, with council workers and local-led groups clearing up the mess (pictured).
The measures are part of the council’s Summer Safe program which will focus on beaches and parks across the council (pictured, revelers on Bondi Beach)
The annual event has been affectionately called “Orphan Christmas” by backpackers and tourists who celebrate the holiday away from home.
Last year, Waverley Council said the amount of litter was “disappointing”.
“Our rangers were on site yesterday, alongside police, ensuring the beach remained a safe environment for everyone,” a spokesperson said at the time.
Former mayor Paula Masselos said controlling the growing crowds had become increasingly difficult due to the size of the park and the number of entry points.
“We’ve considered things like doing a (ticketed event) and that’s just not logistically possible…people are going to come anyway,” Masselos said last year.
“If you’re expecting big amps and beach parties, don’t do it,” he said earlier this year.
“Municipally owned or managed lands are not yours to monopolize.”
Other Sydney councils have issued similar warnings over Christmas Day warnings.
A pair of shoes, a backpack and clothes were left behind after last Christmas Day (pictured)
Waverley Council will introduce new measures to combat unruly attendees at an annual Christmas Day event attended by thousands (pictured)
A Randwick Council spokesperson reminded revelers that beaches and beachside parks are alcohol-free during the summer.
“If you love the beach, don’t throw your trash on the beach, it’s not okay to leave your trash, even if others take it with you and throw it in the trash,” a spokesperson said. yahoo.
Randwick Council quickly implemented the alcohol-free zone in the days following “poor and inappropriate behaviour” at Coogee Beach on Christmas Day 2016.
As at last year’s event in Brontë, up to 10,000 attendees left piles of rubbish for the council and locals to clean up.
Randwick Council has assured residents it has taken a “firm stance” in keeping Coogee Beach, the “jewel in the crown of Randwick Council”, safe for visitors.