Big Brother eyes surf at Bronte

Big Brother eyes surf at Bronte
Image: Safe surfing guidelines at Bronte Beach

The Coastalwatch camera at Bronte Beach has undergone renovation for a fifth time amid calls to remove the camera from the beach.

The camera relays a live video feed of the beach and the surf which can be viewed online, with Coastalwatch giving users access to high definition cameras, forecasting tools and custom surf alerts.

Waverley Councillor Paula Masselos said the camera had led to growing volumes of people at the beach, raising fears over safety and over-crowding at the beach.

“It was put up about four months ago [and] the thing people are concerned about is that we have got a camera up there that’s surveilling the beach,” she said.

“This is the problem: it’s creating a demand for an area that’s small and dangerous, and that’s the concern of the locals, particularly with the residents.”

In May last year, Waverley Council resolved to introduce a series of safe surfing guidelines to combat irresponsible conduct of surfers at local beaches, including Bronte.

Ms Masselos said safety was a primary concern with Bronte and Tamarama seen as two of the most dangerous beaches in Australia.

“There are significant safety issues … you’ve got people who aren’t experienced surfers coming into the area trying to manage the surf breaks and it’s creating a potentially dangerous situation,” she said.

“There has [been] an increased volume of people in a small space and people are getting angry. There’s an increased amount of surf rage, particularly with people who aren’t good surfers.”

Mayor Sally Betts said the camera is the result of an agreement between Coastalwatch and Bronte Surf Club.

“Council became aware of the web cam after it had been installed and staff have since investigated,” she said.

“These types of web cameras are fairly common as a way of providing up to date information on surf conditions, but we will certainly monitor it to see if there are any community impacts.”

However, Bronte resident Graeme Greenup said the community had not been consulted about the installation of the camera.

“Bronte’s a small beach that’s often very busy with both locals and visitors from all around,” he said.

“The camera should be removed and not replaced unless a majority of local surfers and swimmers approve it.”

Mr Greenup said Council should conduct a survey engaging residents with their opinions on the camera and called for greater information to be provided about the camera’s operational activity.

“Information should be provided as to who the operator of the camera is, who is expected to profit by its installation, and presumably whether there’d be any benefit for local surfers and swimmers that might balance the downside of worse congestion at a small and already busy break,” he said.

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