NSW councils say they need more help keeping beaches and green spaces COVID-safe.

The NSW Government has announced its COVID Safe Summer Plan to help guide procedures as the State’s coastal areas, parks and outdoor areas.

But councils are calling for funding support to ensure they are properly resourced to prevent overcrowding.

“Councils agree with the NSW Government – we want NSW to open up for the health and wellbeing as well as the economic recovery of our State, and we’re working with the NSW Government to deliver this,” Local Government NSW (LGNSW) president Linda Scott said.

“Councils welcome the Government’s Safe Summer Plan announcement today, but we need to know funding details so we can make the plan a reality and keep people safe.

“This includes vital issues such as funding support for COVID-safe marshals to ensure social distancing, safe practices and manage crowds if necessary.

“Existing council rangers are already stretched to the limit on a regular summer and do not have enforcement powers or the capacity to undertake additional COVID roles.”

LGNSW has written to NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian, calling for:

  • A beaches and open spaces COVID-safety communications plan in conjunction with councils
  • Funding support for a proposed new app or enhanced SLSNSW app that would update people in real time on the crowd status of beaches so they could plan their visits
  • Funding support for COVID beach marshals to ensure safe practices and manage crowds

Cr Scott said she appreciated the NSW Government was already shouldering a difficult burden during the coronavirus pandemic, but the proposals would ultimately save resources and possibly lives.

“Consistent communication about the State’s beaches and improved compliance by the public will reduce the burden on police resources,” she said.

“It allows the people of NSW to use the beaches in the safest possible way, supports local businesses and will assist in our state’s economic recovery.”