Shocking video footage has exposed the moment Christmas Day partygoers walked away from empty bins, leaving an estimated 20 tonnes of rubbish strewn across Sydney's iconic Coogee Beach. The incident has ignited a fierce debate about public responsibility and event management.
Festive Fun Turns to Filth
Thousands descended on the beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs for the annual 'Orphan's Christmas' gathering, a popular event for backpackers and locals without family plans. However, the celebrations took a grim turn as the crowd dispersed, leaving the shoreline and parkland buried under a mountain of waste.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker condemned the scene, labelling the behaviour as filthy. The debris included countless alcohol bottles, food wrappers, abandoned cooler bags, and plastic bottles, creating a massive clean-up challenge for the local authority.
Empty Bins Amidst the Chaos
Despite the scale of the littering, it has since emerged that bins were available on-site. A video shared widely online shows groups of revellers walking past an empty bin while surrounded by piles of discarded rubbish on the grass.
The clip was posted by podcast host and fitness trainer Chris Katelaris, who launched a furious tirade against those responsible. "If you were one of these pieces of s*** that went there and you left mountains of rubbish behind, check yourself," he said. Katelaris, known as 'Australia's Controversial Coach', questioned why visitors would treat the country with such disrespect.
Celebrity and Public Backlash
The post garnered over 114,000 likes and thousands of comments, with notable figures adding their voices to the criticism. TV fitness coach Michelle Bridges suggested those responsible should return to help clean up, noting that taxpayers would ultimately foot the bill.
Celebrity lifeguard Andrew Reid, from Bondi Rescue, questioned the council's enforcement, pointing out that no fines were issued in the alcohol-free zone despite strict parking penalties elsewhere. The online pile-on included comments from British expats in Sydney, with one stating they were ashamed to be associated with the "feral behaviour".
Calls for Better Planning and a Council Response
While many blamed the revellers, others defended them and pointed the finger at the council's preparedness. Critics argued that the event happens annually and that authorities fail to provide adequate infrastructure, such as sufficient large skip bins or clear signage.
In response, Mayor Dylan Parker assured locals that next year would be different, with the council considering installing fences around the park to manage crowds. "While we absolutely recognise how important it is for people to have a fun and enjoyable Christmas, we want it to be respectful," he stated.
On Friday morning, council crews undertook a major operation, collecting the 20 tonnes of waste in four truck-loads and sending it to the tip, with some locals assisting in the clean-up effort.
