A DIVISIVE trend of people setting up cabanas and tents to reserve prime beach spots on the peninsula has prompted mayor Cr Anthony Marsh to call for the behaviour to end. “If you come and set up (at the beach) with the intent of going off and doing other stuff and returning half a day later, that’s totally inappropriate,” he said.
The issue has attracted global attention after it was revealed early beachgoers were reserving coveted beach spots at Safety Beach with cabanas, tents and chairs before wandering off and returning later. It has sparked debate on social media as to whether the practice was “un-Australian”, selfish or being plain smart – with some beach users leaving their set up overnight to come back the next day.
Marsh, who was contacted by the BBC media in the UK for a comment last week, told The News he was surprised the matter had gone global. While he encouraged everyone to enjoy the beach, he urged people to be considerate of others. “The beach is a public asset. We have limited real estate. If you’re not going to use it, let someone else use it. “Come and enjoy our beaches, we’re not anti-tourism … respect people around you; look after it, take your rubbish home, have a good time.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in on the issue saying the trend was “not on”.
First published in the Mornington News – 14 January 2025
