Have A Banga On A Sanga… Just Go Easy On The Booze

By Laura Terrance on December 22, 2011 in News

For many patriotic Australians, January 26 is even more anticipated than Christmas. Besides getting a day off work, Australia Day is the one occasion of the year when you can get away with wearing an Australian flag bikini or a navy blue bonds singlet, temporary tatts and fluoro-coloured zinc.

It’s also the perfect excuse to open that first beer at the crack of dawn. For this reason, Waverley and Randwick Councils would like to send all residents and visitors to the area a friendly reminder about their regulations on Australia Day and throughout the entire festive season.

The councils contacted The Beast asking that we highlight some alcohol-free zones, in particular those at Coogee, Clovelly, Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama. The alcohol-free zones include both the beaches and surrounding parks, as well as some streets in the Bondi town centre.

In these zones the consumption of alcohol is not permitted and the police and council rangers have the right to confiscate and empty out any alcohol being consumed.

These restrictions have been in place for a number of years and should be respected. The councils claim that they are not out to be the ‘fun police’ but are simply exercising their duty of care. It’s an unfortunate reality that when Australians have too many shandies in the sun they feel the need to go a swim in the ocean, jump behind the wheel of a car, get into a fight or break something (or a combination of these).

Not surprisingly, some residents are convinced that these regulations are just too tough. Jack McCarthy, a Bronte local and lover of all things Australian, disagrees with the councils’ approach

“I think drinking is a part of the Australian culture and brings people together in a good way and in a communal way. It’s up to the police to target the people causing problems,” McCarthy told The Beast.

But Waverley Mayor John Wakefield says the enforcement of alcohol-free zones is to help manage the busy summer period in Bondi and to educate people about its impact on residents and the environment.

Thankfully, Waverley and Randwick Council have not left us with nothing to do on Australia Day. There will a variety of fun, non-alcoholic activities for the whole community to participate in.

At North Bondi, the annual Havaianas Thong Challenge will take place once again, and there’ll be a range of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy at Coogee Beach from 9am to 12pm and at Little Bay from 12pm to 2pm.

So if you want to drink, do it at home or at a mate’s house, or pop down to your local pub.

Be sure to behave yourself, and have a happy and safe Australia Day in 2012.