Latest news with #CampCoveKiosk
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
War erupts in affluent suburb as backlash escalates over a change at a small beach and locals lawyer up while a Hollywood star steps in
Residents of an affluent Sydney suburb have sought legal action to stop a bring-your-own-alcohol proposal at a beachfront kiosk. Five Watsons Bay locals, including Hollywood director George Miller, are fighting Woollahra Council's proposal to allow patrons to drink at the Camp Cove Kiosk. However, in a report seen by Daily Mail, submissions to the council were overwhelmingly positive and in favour of the proposal, following a successful trial. The council approved the six-month trial of BYO alcohol at Camp Cove Kiosk from last December to June. Alcohol was permitted between lunchtime and 6pm in winter, and until 7pm in summer. Beachgoers are allowed to drink alcohol on the beach at Camp Cove, but the operators of the kiosk needed the council's permission to allow BYO at the venue. Council staff have now recommended against extending the trial, with one councillor warning the plan could alert people to the lack of drinking restrictions on the council's beaches. Hollywood filmmaker Miller, who directed Mad Max, expressed concern the BYO proposal could attract crowds of partygoers. He shared his concerns broken glass from bottles could end up in the sand, particularly near a calm section of the cove used by families. 'It's the last spot of all the beaches you would want the risk of BYO alcohol because of its proximity to Kiddie Corner,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald. Omer Farhy, operator of the 35-seat venue, told a meeting of the council's finance, community and services committee on Monday he 'did not support drunken behaviour'. The Camp Cove Kiosk operator said he wanted to introduce 'an elegant and relaxed way to enjoy the beach with a sunset BYO drink'. Most submissions from Watsons Bay and Vaucluse residents welcomed the proposal, but police and a handful of locals raised safety concerns. Watsons Bay resident Allen Linz, who lives next to the kiosk, said he was already frustrated by the existing noise coming from patrons. He claimed adding alcohol into the mix would only worsen the problem. Mr Linz argued the council should ban alcohol on Camp Cove Beach entirely. Lawyer Adam Moxon Simpson, who represents Miller, Linz and three other unidentified residents, told the meeting Kiddie Corner needed to be protected. 'Now is not the time for more alcohol on beaches, and Kiddie Corner is not the place; it's a precious place for families,' he said. Out of the 77 submissions received by council staff on the proposal, 48 were positive. The majority of the committee voted to grant the kiosk a 12-month licence to operate BYO alcohol. It included conditions for plastic cups and to only permit booze from noon, and would be reviewed in a year. A Woollahra Council spokesperson said: 'This matter is yet to go to a meeting of the full council for determination. Councillors will vote on this on August 25.'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- News.com.au
Mad Max director joins battle over Sydney beach booze plan
Hollywood filmmaker George Miller has thrown his weight behind a push to stop a BYO alcohol plan at one of Sydney's most famous beaches. A six-month experiment allowing beachgoers to bring their own alcohol to the Camp Cove Kiosk in Watsons Bay has won the backing of most Woollahra Municipal Council committee members, but the final call will be made later this month. Camp Cove Beach, a small, sheltered spot in Watsons Bay, is known for its calm waters and family-friendly atmosphere, particularly the section locals call 'Kiddie Corner,' where children learn to swim. While alcohol consumption is already legal on the sand, it is not widely publicised. The six-month BYO trial at the kiosk ran from December 2024 to June 2025, drawing strong community support but also fierce opposition from residents concerned about safety, anti-social behaviour, and preserving the beach's tranquil character. Council staff had recommended rejecting the plan after police and a handful of locals raised safety concerns, despite most submissions from Watsons Bay and Vaucluse residents endorsing the changes. Out of 77 public submissions, 48 backed the move, 28 opposed it, and one was unsure. Lawyer Adam Moxon Simpson, acting for Mr Miller and four other Camp Cove residents, urged Woollahra Council to reject the proposal, warning of 'alcohol risks in public spaces' and 'the absence of legislative tools to deal with issues.' 'There's a time and place for everything, but now is not the time for more alcohol on beaches and Kiddie Corner is not the place,' Mr Simpson said. 'It's a precious place for families.' Kiosk operator Omer Farhy said the 35-seat venue's proposal was modest and would not change the beach's peaceful character or spark anti-social behaviour. 'I am not a drinker myself and do not support drunken behaviour,' he said He added that he wanted to offer 'an elegant and relaxed' way to enjoy the beach with a 'sunset BYO drink.' In submissions, supporters praised the arrangement for boosting the community atmosphere and encouraging social interaction, describing it as a perfect fit for the relaxed coastal vibe. Many said there were no adverse incidents during the trial and that patrons acted responsibly. 'This absolutely should be allowed to go ahead,' one supporter wrote. 'Council should take a progressive stance on allowing people to BYO to the kiosk. I support this.' Another likened the idea to popular overseas seaside spots. 'Australia has a positive culture for gathering together for food and sundowners. Neilson Park recent reopening with the ability to have a cocktail or beer felt very community and European in a positive way,' they said. 'A trial at Camp Cove is very welcome.' Opponents were equally passionate, warning of safety hazards, environmental risks, and damage to the beach's family-friendly character. 'I have concerns about the mixing of alcohol, children, and swimming. If we can limit these interactions, then incidents can be avoided,' one opponent wrote. 'The kiosk currently and wisely does not serve anything in glass. Allowing people to bring glass bottles into an area with a concrete floor and where people are often barefoot is a mistake.' Another said Australia had 'poor statistics' regarding the high consumption of alcohol and the behavioural and social problems it causes. Police said they had no reports of anti-social behaviour during the trial but warned that promoting BYO could attract troublemakers, especially in summer, as the beach is not alcohol-free. Liberal councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis, who pushed for a second trial, said the proposal had divided Watsons Bay's 'very close-knit community.' 'You've got to be careful for what you wish. By alerting the public to that fact, in 12 months' time we might find ourselves in a situation where this has gone out of control,' she said. Despite advice from council officers, the majority of council voted to grant the Camp Cove Kiosk a 12-month licence to continue BYO alcohol, with restrictions including plastic cups and no drinking before noon. The decision will go to a full council vote on August 25.
