Lae's Sipaia Beach out of bounds to public

Frustrated Wagang villagers from outside Lae have put a stop to members of the public using their popular Sipaia Beach.

They said in a public notice dated May 1 that this was due to “continuous harassment and blatant disrespect of the villagers”.

“The Sipaia Beach, which is not a public beach, is now closed to all outsiders until further notice,” village chairman Joe Sawang and councilor John Galang said in the notice.

“We have taken this step to safeguard our children from speeding vehicles, public nuisance, drunkenness, disturbance of village harmony and aimless wandering into private village areas.

“Our intentions are to set up village regulations for use of the beach by the public, and put in place laws to safeguard our village life, and providing barbeque stands, toilets and other amenities before the beach is reopened to the public.”

Mr Sawang and Mr Galang said that when the beach was reopened, fees would be charged for use for leisure and functions, to bring in revenue to maintain public amenities and the beachfront.

“We hope that when we do open up, we will be able to provide services for and better inform the public,” they said.