Why You Should Sign the Petition to Ban Open Fires, Hot Coals & Smoking on the Brighton-Le-Sands Foreshore Now
- Admin@ Beautiful Brighton
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 21
Brighton-Le-Sands has always been a place locals are proud of — the morning walks along the water, kids playing on the sand, neighbours stopping for a chat. That’s why it hasn’t been easy to write this. Over the past few months, so many locals have messaged me and stopped me on the street asking if I could talk about what’s been happening on the foreshore. As someone who lives here too, I feel the same frustration and sadness they do. It hurts to see a suburb we love starting to feel neglected, as if our concerns no longer matter. When people who live here every day start feeling unheard by the local council, something isn’t right.
Our foreshore is our community’s most treasured public space, yet this foreshore is facing a serious and growing threat that can no longer be ignored.
In December 2025 a fire started on the foreshore. Luckily, it was contained before it spread. If that fire had not been contained, the consequences could have been catastrophic—destroying foreshore vegetation, threatening nearby homes, endangering lives, and devastating wildlife habitats. This incident should have been a wake-up call.
Every day, the foreshore is exposed to fire risks. Local residents have witnessed open flame fires lit on Total Fire Ban days,
often during hot and windy conditions. Open coal barbecues, burning charcoal, and individuals smoking argilas with hot coals are daily sights—often placed directly under dry vegetation and pine trees. Hot coals left behind are a disaster waiting to happen. This is a direct threat to our homes and our lives.
Many residents have tried to intervene. On Total Fire Ban days, local residents have approached people lighting fires or smoking with hot coals,and open flame portable stoves warning them of the danger and asking them to extinguish the flames. Too often, they are laughed at, told “We are allowed, and ”Don't Look if it bothers you" despite clear signage stating the foreshore is a smoke-free zone.Residents have even been met with profanity and abuse from individuals lighting fires after they tried to take photos of open flames near the pine trees. This leaves locals feeling frustrated, worried, and unsafe, walking away fearful that further confrontation could escalate.
The Brighton-Le-Sands Foreshore is a designated Smoke-Free Zone, established by the Council. Yet enforcement is non existant. Rangers are rarely seen patrolling or enforcing the rules,they only come out in the morning occasionaly to check if there are any dogs on the beach which is the one thing they seem to care about. Residents are feeling abandoned. Locals have emailed Council asking for intervention, only to be told that NSW Health should enforce the Smoke Free Zone rules—despite the fact that Council Rangers have the authority and responsibility to do so. They can, and they should.
Smoke is a serious health threat . Cigarette smoke and coal vapours linger in the air, making it impossible to sit on the beach without inhaling toxins. Individuals even stand in the water smoking.It sounds unbelaivable doesn't it .So you can't swim or have your children play in the water without being exposed to smoke.This has to stop now!.Families who live in the neighbourhood have stopped bringing their children to the beach because the smoke is overwhelming. This is unacceptable in a public space meant for everyone.
Cigarette butts and charcoal waste also wash into the water, harming marine life, seabirds and polluting our beach. Locals pay rates and deserve to enjoy the beach—without fear, smoke, or danger.
Brighton-Le-Sands is a welcoming community that values clean air, safety, and respect for nature.
Signing this petition is about protecting our foreshore, our wildlife, and our families. It is a call for proper enforcement, accountability, and common sense—so everyone can safely enjoy this beautiful place.
Don’t wait for another fire.Sign the petition and help protect Brighton-Le-Sands Foreshore—for all of us.
Comments