Cabana drama

There's a lot of geography in this news item from the BBC News on the controversies surrounding beach cabanas on Australian beaches.

Cabanas are small gazebo like structures, which offer some shade from the strong sun without blocking out any breeze, and allow people to stay on the beach for longer, and more safely, during the Australian summer. However, the number of these structures is causing some problems and there are contrasting views on them. They are also known as beach tents.

The beach is of tremendous cultural significance to Australians, so this is being taken seriously.

There is the notion of turning a public space into a series of private enclaves, preventing easy access and egress to the sea, and potentially preventing lifeguards from operating effectively.

The Prime Minister is against them.

This ABC Australia piece gives a local perspective, and also has a lovely drone shot of a beach covered with cabanas, along with this image from Grace Nakamura.

Image: Grace Nakamura

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-10/calls-for-cabana-regulations-on-beaches-tourism-australia/104799972

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