A petition seeking to ban smoking in and around Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary was presented to Council on 19 February 2019. The petition outlined community concerns that cigarette butt litter was impacting the marine habitat and significant environmental value of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting of 23 April 2019, Council resolved to:

Commence the process in accordance with clause 68 of Council’s Local Law No.2 ‘Neighbourhood Amenity” (Local Law) to declare the following Municipal places as smoke free:

• All Bayside beaches including Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and surrounds; and
• Receive a progress report on various stages of developing the Local Law.

A copy of the Council report is included in the Document library.

Council received a report on progress in November 2019 and decided to extend the smoking ban to include the Brighton Dunes. A map of the areas where the smoking ban will apply is included below.

A smoking ban will help reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter which makes its way from Bayside’s beaches into Port Phillip Bay.

Bayside City Council is committed to protecting the marine haibtat and significant environmental value of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.

It will also improve the health and well-being of our community and visitors.

Council is gathering community feedback over the summer of 2019/20 and will receive a report in April 2020. If approved, Council will commence the introduction of the ban after public notification and the installation of signage. This could be in place by the end of July 2020.

Online

Complete the survey on this project page.

In person

Come and chat to us at one of our advertised drop-in sessions.

Make a submission

Email or post a submission to us:

Andrew Biffin
Service and Efficiency Coordinator
Bayside City Council
76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham
PO BOX 27, Sandringham Vic 3191

Consultation will close on Sunday 23 February at 10 pm.

The surrounds of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary include the area from the water’s edge to the edge of the bike path, adjacent to Beach Road, and includes the three Ricketts Point car parks.

The Brighton Dunes is the area of Brighton beach at the end of Dendy Street where Brighton Lifesaving Club and the iconic bathing boxes are. The ban area stretches from the water’s edge to the edge of the bike path adjacent to Beach Road and includes the car park.

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and Brighton Dunes have been identified as being of special environmental significance and as such have been included in the Council’s proposed ban.

However it should be noted that littering is an offence in any area of Bayside. The dropping of cigarette butts in any foreshore car park or any area of Bayside is an offence that can attract a fine of up to $661.

The sands of the beaches provides a clear physical boundary and is consistent with other coastal Victorian councils such as Hobson's Bay (Williamstown and Altona beaches) and Surf Coast Shire Council.

No vaping is currently not included in the proposed ban.

Signage promoting the ban will feature at all Bayside's beaches. Authorised Council officers will patrol the areas as part of their normal beach patrols. We hope smokers will respect the ban without the need for extensive enforcement.