News

Community support for the Dendy Beach Visitor Management Plan

7 June 2024

Between 21 March and 21 April 2024, we heard from 82 participants via the randomly approached intercept surveys on Dendy Beach and the self-selected, 147 Have Your Say online consultation survey respondents, 33 written submissions, 15 conversations (in-person and by telephone) with Council officers, and Council officer attendance at three meetings (DAIAC, Bayside Tourism Network, Bayside Healthy Ageing Reference Group) about their views on the proposed Dendy Beach Visitor Management Plan.

Key findings

The key finding from the community engagement was that the majority (59%) of the 147 self-selected online survey respondents supported the Dendy Beach Visitor Management Plan, whilst 14% opposed the plan.

There were a range of issues raised by survey respondents and those making submissions, including concerns by bathing box owners and some local residents about the impact of increased visitor numbers on the amenity of the area and the quiet enjoyment of the area by local residents and bathing box owners. There were some concerns that improved visitor amenity would exacerbate these issues.

Proposed operational actions to improve the visitor experience

On average, taken as a single group of 229 survey respondents, there was at least mild support for all 9 proposed operational actions to improve visitor experience at Dendy Beach:

  • Upgraded, more accessible public toilets – average support score of 8.8 out of 10, with 90% support and 1% opposed.
  • New sustainability initiatives – average support of 8.7, with 90% support and 4% opposed.
  • Smart waste bins for quicker collection – average support of 8.3, with 85% support and 5% opposed.
  • Improving pathways between the Baths and Green Point – average support of 8.2, with 82% support and 6% opposed.
  • Clear wayfinding signage from public transport – average support of 7.5, with 71% support and 6% opposed.
  • Dedicated and timed parking for tour buses – average support of 7.2, with 67% support and 12% opposed.
  • Multilingual information boards – average support of 6.7, with 59% support and 15% opposed.
  • More hospitality options – average support of 6.5, with 59% support and 25% opposed.
  • Other activities to attend nearby – average support of 5.9, with 50% support and 21% opposed.

Neighbouring residents and some other groups of respondents expressed some concerns around several of the initiatives, including the multilingual information boards, more hospitality options, and other activities or events to attend nearby.

It is noted, however, that all respondent groups were at least neutral (rated 5 out of 10) for each of the 13 initiatives.

Proposed aspirational future ideas to improve the visitor experience

There was also majority support from contributors for the 4 aspirational future idea initiatives:

  • Revitalising the Middle Brighton Baths (7.9)
  • Increased parking at the Baths (6.4)
  • Building a viewing deck at Green Point (6.3)
  • Increased parking at Green Point (5.9)

Community suggestions to improve the 4 visitation goals

  • Enhance visitor experience
    • The most common responses were for more / better outdoor amenities, exercise, and playground equipment (30 responses), more / better facilities such as change rooms, toilets, etc (27), more / better shops, restaurants, and / or cafes (25), and more / better signage (19).
  • Preserve and protect the natural environment
    • The most common responses were related to cleanliness, management, and upkeep of the foreshore (42 responses), improve, and protect the environment, vegetation, and trees (35), better infrastructure (10), better animal and pest control (10), more or improved pathways and bicycle facilities (7), and constrain visitor / bus numbers (7).
  • Balance stakeholder needs
    • The most common responses included constraining visitor / bus numbers (12 responses), resident, owner, and tourist priority (11), more or better parking (8), and more or improved pathways and bicycle facilities (5).
  • Deliver sustainable tourism and economic viability
    • The most common responses included constrain visitor / bus numbers (15 responses), more or better shops, restaurants, and / or cafes (12), more or better parking (8), and cleanliness, management, and upkeep of the foreshore (5).

Written submission feedback

There was general support from most of the individuals and organisations making written or verbal submissions, with particular reference made to the following:

  • Tour operators and a variety of local businesses - were generally supportive, although there were a range of issues raised, including several related to parking issues, particularly tour buses.
  • Bathing box owners and other community members – whilst there was support for the plan from most of these individuals, there were a range of issues of concern raised.Many of these related to the behaviour of visitors, and the impact of visitors (and tourists) on local amenity and the peaceful use of the space by local residents.There were concerns that improved visitor facilities and amenity would encourage additional visitor numbers, increasing the negative impacts on local residents, and also the impact on the local environment.

Read the complete report on community engagement:


Council will consider the adoption of the Dendy Beach Visitor Management Plan at the 18 June 2024 meeting, 6.30pm.