“I am not a drinker myself and do not support drunken behaviour,” he said.
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Watsons Bay resident Allen Lenz, who lives next to the “thriving” kiosk, said he had been frustrated by noise from patrons shouting and speaking loudly near his fence.
“It’s very, very hard for [the operators] to control that, so how they’re going to control BYO alcohol at this point, I don’t know. The ability to control people who are drinking is very difficult.”
He went a step further: “Council should look at banning alcohol on Camp Cove Beach, it’s not necessary to have alcohol on the beach. Look at Waverley and other councils around Sydney, they don’t allow it.”
Lawyer Adam Moxon Simpson told the meeting he represented Miller, Lenz and three other unidentified residents who worried about shattered glass and wanted to protect Kiddie Corner as a spot where “toddlers play in the sand, kids learn to swim, and parents and kids can feel safe”.
“Now is not the time for more alcohol on beaches, and Kiddie Corner is not the place; it’s a precious place for families.”
Camp Cove Beach at Watson’s Bay is a popular swimming spot for families in summer.Credit: Janie Barrett
Council papers said staff received 77 submissions on the proposal – 48 of which were positive. Supporters said the trial enhanced the community atmosphere and encouraged social engagement.
Police did not receive any reports of anti-social behaviour at the kiosk during the trial period. But staff raised concerns that, in any event, police officers and council rangers would lack the powers to confiscate alcohol from patrons given the venue was not fully licensed and booze was permitted on the beach.
“While the area is not currently alcohol-free, this status is not widely known,” council papers said.
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“Promoting BYO alcohol at the kiosk, in the [police’s] opinion, could increase public awareness of the fact that Camp Cove beach is currently not designated as being alcohol-free. This may attract individuals who may engage in anti-social behaviour, especially during warmer months.”
Liberal councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis unsuccessfully pushed for a 12-month second trial and said the proposal had divided Watsons Bay’s “very close-knit community”.
“It is not widely known in our community, let alone the rest of the state, that we permit alcohol to be served on beaches. 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.”
Liberal councillor Toni Zeltzer and Independent councillor Mark Silcocks opposed the permit, arguing it was irresponsible given police and staff thought the risks outweighed any benefits.
Zeltzer said the opponents were “not wowsers” and Watsons Bay residents were “a sharing community” who “have to contend with a lot” living in a suburb that was a magnet for visitors.
Properties along Sydney’s Camp Cove beach in Watson’s Bay are some of the most prized in Australia.
“How much more do we burden them with simply because they bought nice homes in this area?”
Most of the committee voted to grant the kiosk a 12-month licence to operate BYO alcohol. It would be reviewed in a year, and included conditions for plastic cups and to only permit booze from noon.
Councillors will vote on the matter at the next full council meeting on August 25.
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Speaking before Monday’s meeting, Miller recalled about 150 people had attended a pop-up party near the beach one night in March – although the committee later heard that gathering was not related to the kiosk trial.
“They stopped in the street and they were drinking and smashing bottles. The next morning we had to go out and sweep up the bottles. It was a really good example of what could go wrong,” he said.
Miller, who directed Mad Max, agreed the council should consider beach alcohol-free zones but said the local opponents’ “first aim is to stop [the BYO proposal], which we believe is a folly”.
“There are no liquor licensing laws, there’s no way you can police it, there’s no security. This is the thin edge of the wedge. It’s a very risky situation.”
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