A New Year's Eve controversy has ignited in Sydney, with residents furious over what they describe as a 'grotesque' and selfish land grab at one of the city's most popular vantage points.
The Scene of the Dispute
Photographs from Manly Beach on the Northern Beaches show premium grassy spots near the waterfront blanketed with rows of unattended CoolCabanas, gazebos, tents, and chairs. The makeshift camps, reportedly set up at dawn, were left empty for much of the day, blocking access to rare public space during the busiest period of the year.
Beside the vacant setups, a handwritten sign attempted to offer a compromise, stating: 'Please feel free to use this space until 5pm. Happy New Year!' However, this gesture did little to quell the rising anger among many locals.
Community Backlash and Divided Opinions
Images shared in a community Facebook group triggered a wave of criticism, with many accusing the beachgoers of effectively 'squatting' on public land. 'Seriously, it's public space - they can't claim it, otherwise they're squatting, aren't they?' one person commented. Another simply labelled the act 'grotesque'.
Calls for the structures to be removed were swift. One resident suggested, 'Pretty simple - take them down and sell them as last-minute options on Gumtree,' while another agreed, stating they were 'Supportive of these being torn down if left unattended.' One critic compared the situation unfavourably to 'a chook raffle at a country pub', insisting there should be no reservation system for public areas.
Not all feedback was negative, however. Some saw the offer to share until the evening as reasonable, with one person stating the arrangement was fair enough.
Security and Festivities Proceed
The dispute unfolded as Sydney prepared for its major New Year's Eve celebrations. Thousands of people were expected to flock to Manly Cove for the 9pm fireworks, with over 1.1 million people anticipated around Sydney Harbour for the world-famous midnight display.
NSW Premier Chris Minns urged families to enjoy the festivities, despite the lingering impact of the Bondi Beach terror attack which left 15 people dead. 'We can't be in a situation where this horrible criminal terrorist event changes the way we live in our beautiful city. We have to show defiance,' he said.
The Premier also reassured the public on security measures, noting that police were on high alert and a massive logistical operation was in place. 'Transport is ramping up. There is a massive logistical exercise, with tens of thousands of public servants keeping you safe,' he affirmed.
As of 3:30pm on New Year's Eve, the controversial cabanas remained in place on the Manly foreshore, a physical testament to a clash between personal convenience and the communal use of prized public space.
