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HomeHome And Away‘Intimidating presence’: Has Home and Away outstayed its welcome at Palm Beach?

‘Intimidating presence’: Has Home and Away outstayed its welcome at Palm Beach?

Summer Bay’s imaginary residents can enjoy million-dollar vistas from the wealthy enclave of Palm Beach.

A residents organisation, however, has accused the creators of the television series Home and Away of taking over a park, establishing a “intimidating presence,” and hurting the public’s enjoyment of the green area.

The Northern Beaches Council and the North Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, both of which profit financially from the filming of the Seven Network television show, argue that it brings tourists and highlights the area.

Governor Phillip Park in Palm Beach appeared to be a “big film set on at least three days a week,” according to Virginia Christensen, vice president of The Palm Beach and Whale Beach Association.

Ms Christensen added that on certain days, barricades kept the public out of some areas of the park, while traffic was slowed and parking lots were closed.

“The presence of security personnel and traffic management officers, who are obviously there to ensure that filming goes successfully,” she noted, “may sometimes create an intimidating presence and can be oppressive.”

“Seven Productions is incredibly grateful and attentive to the residents of Palm Beach, and we consistently limit any filming disruption to a minimum while respecting the community’s rights,” a Seven spokesman said in a statement.

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In 2021, the Northern Beaches Council granted 222 filming and photography requests in the Pittwater area, generating around $220,000 in revenue from television and film companies.

The long-running soap opera also draws tourists, according to the council, which cites a 2019 study that revealed nearly 10% of visitors claimed Home and Away was how they learned about the city.

“Council personnel work closely with film production crews to ensure our beaches, parks, and open spaces are safely enjoyed by the public during and after film production,” said Ray Brownlee, the council’s chief executive.

The noise of large trucks and generators, which Ms Christensen said were frequently parked on the edge of the road, breaking the asphalt and destroying the grass, had an impact on park users, she added.

She stated, “The public’s quiet enjoyment of the usually tranquil park and Pittwater environment is jeopardised.”

The residents’ association is also concerned that the television show is not paying commercial rates for the use of Governor Phillip Park, which the city council has neglected to maintain.

In a 2021 bulletin, the PBWBA expressed concern about the park’s “tired state,” which includes insufficient bathroom facilities, potholes, and unprotected picnic tables.

The residents’ group, according to Ms Christensen, was pleased with the benefits the television show gave to local companies such as lodging, surf schools, and hospitality providers.

“However, we are concerned that the filming fees charged in Governor Phillip Park for the filming of Home and Away do not reflect comparable charges in other cities where the setting is a major component of the brand and serves as a vital outdoor studio for the work,” she added.

The rates required to use the park, she argued, should reflect the large scope and regularity of the television production.

The North Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club is additionally compensated for allowing the television show to utilise its facilities and for providing services such as water safety.

Terry Kirkpatrick, the director of administration for the surf lifesaving club, claimed that the cast and crew of Home and Away use the club’s bathrooms and facilities, and that members of the club volunteer to help with the production when needed.

“All proceeds from Home and Away are used to purchase rescue equipment, provide training and qualifications for our members, and preserve the building and its surroundings,” he explained.

“Despite all of the activity, the place is well kept and is not run down,” Mr Kirkpatrick said of Governor Phillip Park and the area around the surf club, which are utilised for commercial activities and by huge numbers of tourists and the general public throughout the year.

Emergency life-saving efforts that required helicopters to land in the park, he said, may have had the largest impact.

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