Gold Coast City Council has backflipped after banning the “playing of bongo drums”, following some serious backlash online.
Earlier this week, a sign popped up on a Gold Coast beach which said the playing of bongo drums was now banned, alongside fire twirling and slacklining.
The location in question, Justins Park at Burleigh Beach, is known for its twirlers and drummers, and has been frequented by local twirlers and drummers for almost two decades, according to residents.
Gold Coast City Council said it was left with no other option but to enact the ban as the council clamps down on alcohol, drug use and otherwise anti-social behaviour ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
However, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has since taken to social media to say the sign will be taken down and replaced, with Area Councillor Pauline Young working through the issue.
“I didn’t know any such local law signs were going up until I started getting FB messages in the last 24 hours,” he said on Facebook.
“So let me be clear, I don’t agree with the outright ban and before today I didn’t know there was a local law banning such activities in parks. However I support such multi-cultural and community use activities in our parks, full stop.
“Pauline Young is sorting the issue out and the sign banning the activity is being replaced with one that says the activity just needs a permit — which is really about the players and especially the fire twirlers having insurance in case someone gets hurt.
“I think this means the bongo’s will be right to keep going.”
Yay!
Read Mayor Tom Tate’s post in full, below.
