One of Sydney's most famous beaches was transformed into a dumping ground on Christmas Day, following a large-scale celebration by backpackers that left an estimated 20 tonnes of waste in its wake.
Sun, Festivities and a Tide of Waste
Coogee Beach was packed with revellers on December 25th, many wearing festive headwear and enjoying drinks under the Australian sun. However, the merrymaking gave way to dismay as the crowd dispersed, revealing a shocking amount of discarded litter.
The scene was described as a rubbish-strewn mess, with cans, food packaging and other debris left across the sand and grassed areas. The situation was compounded by reports of some individuals choosing to urinate in public spaces at the scenic location.
A Massive Clean-Up Operation on Christmas Day
Randwick Council was forced to mobilise a significant clean-up effort on the public holiday. In a statement, the council confirmed staff had commenced work after what they termed a "large backpacker Christmas party."
The mayor expressed gratitude to council employees, including lifeguards, rangers and waste staff, for their hard work under difficult circumstances. More than 20 tonnes of rubbish was collected, requiring four full truck-loads to be sent to the tip.
The clean-up crews utilised a range of equipment and methods to restore the beach, including:
- Beach rakes and footpath sweepers.
- High-pressure hoses for thorough washing.
- Hands-on cleaning for more delicate areas.
Staff also focused on cleaning public toilets and the sand and grassed areas affected by the party.
Community Reaction: Outrage and Defence
The state of the beach provoked a strong reaction from local residents online. Many were appalled by the disrespect shown to the community asset. One Facebook user thanked the cleaners, adding, "What a shame our beautiful beach is treated so poorly." Another suggested that those who made the mess should have been made to clean it up.
However, not all comments were critical of the revellers. One resident offered a different perspective, writing, "Stop being a Scrooge. People had a party, yeah there's a bit of mess but it will get cleaned up. In the current climate I'm glad people can let their hair down and have a dance."
In his Facebook post, the mayor struck a balanced tone, noting that while many behaved responsibly, it was "disappointing that some chose to litter heavily and urinate in public spaces." The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions between maintaining public spaces and the impact of large, informal gatherings.
