Waverley Council responds to Bondi littering concerns

Waverley Municipal Council has responded to concerns raised last month by a prominent local community group, who say the municipality’s most iconic beach is being littered by corporate advertising materials.

The Responsible Runners – a volunteer group which combines outdoor exercise with cleaning up Bondi Beach – said organisations such as Vodafone, Citibank and Sollarium Entertainment are using Bondi as a giant outdoor advertising venue.

Responsible Runners founding member Justin Bonsey said items such as giant inflatable sunglasses, li-los, plastic beach balls, brochures and pamphlets were being handed out to beachgoers, and left on the beach, posing a threat to birds and marine life.

A Waverley Council spokesperson this week said Council had stringent guidelines pertaining to corporate advertising materials, and committed to strictly policing any breaches.

“Council receives a large number of requests for commercial activity, especially in and around Bondi,” said the spokesperson.

“As a result, Council has very strict guidelines and a vetting process in place which prohibits activities which are purely commercial along the coastal walk, and on the sand and promenade.”

The spokesperson said a number of promotional items and initiatives were banned from the beach, including bottled water giveaways, flyers and pamphlets, full food or beverage product sampling, busking, and bringing your own BBQ onto Bondi Beach or into Bondi Park.

“Council rangers patrol Bondi Beach daily and if they see illegal activity related to a commercial promotion, or a complaint is received, promoters are asked to present their permit and remove the restricted items from the beach,” she said.

“The community is encouraged to report any illegal activity to Council’s Senior Rangers on 0414  884 393.”

The spokesperson said Council put on additional rangers over summer, to cope with bigger crowds and a resultant increase in corporate littering.

Meanwhile, Vodafone – one of the companies fingered by the Responsible Runners for alleged corporate littering – said it was willing to work with Council to help keep Bondi Beach clean.

“Our intention when promoting our products and services is certainly not to cause issues at Bondi or any beach,” said a spokesperson for Vodafone Australia.

“We welcome input and feedback from councils and community groups about any and all of our operations, including any promotional initiatives we conduct.”

Citibank did not return calls.

The Responsible Runners group meets at 6pm each Sunday outside the Bondi Pavilion.

Residents and visitors who want more information or wish to assist with the weekly clean-ups are encouraged to join the group on Facebook or attend the Sunday evening meetings.