City works with Hunter Surf Life Saving to monitor crowds at beaches and ocean baths

21 Mar 2020

City of Newcastle is working with Hunter Surf Life Saving to monitor crowds at local beaches and ocean baths to ensure compliance with the Public Health Order limiting non-essential outdoor gatherings to less than 500 people.

While the public spaces remain open, the City is advising residents and visitors to practice social distancing, including maintaining a 1.5 metre space from others, as we work with our State and Federal Government partners to limit the spread of COVID-19.

City of Newcastle Interim Director of City Wide Services Alissa Jones said that while local beaches rarely see crowds as large as those of Bondi and Clovelly, the City would remain vigilant and take action in the interests of public safety if required.

“Although Newcastle beaches don’t typically experience the dense crowds of Bondi Beach which was closed today by NSW Police, we will be actively monitoring numbers at our beaches and baths to help enforce the limit on non-essential outdoor gatherings to fewer than 500 people,” Ms Jones said.

“We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of a COVID-19 and City of Newcastle will be implementing social distancing conditions at our beaches and baths in partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving.”

City of Newcastle usually provides lifeguards at beaches and ocean baths from Monday to Saturday, along with Hunter Surf Life Saving (HSLS) volunteers who patrol beaches on Saturday and Sunday.

The City will now join HSLS to patrol on Sundays, working in partnership to:

  • Monitor the numbers of attendees at our beaches and baths
  • Report to City officers and HSLS if numbers are getting close to 500
  • Advise visitors to our beaches the need for social distancing
  • Install signage at all beaches and the baths including health messaging such as advice on social distancing measures and the restrictions on non-essential gatherings.

For more information on City of Newcastle’s response to the COVID-19 visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19