Latest news with #BadungRegencyGovernment
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Demolition of businesses begins at popular Bali surf spot Bingin Beach, voiding bookings of Australian travellers
The demolition of businesses along a Bali beach has sparked devastation among locals and caused travel nightmares for Australians. More than 40 businesses along the popular surf spot Bingin Beach, in the Pecatu Village in the south of Bali by Indonesian authorities began being demolished on Monday morning. These include villas, homestays, restaurants and other tourist facilities. The government-mandated demolitions began after negotiations between business owners and the Badung Regency Government failed. The demolitions had been ordered as a result of an investigation by Bali's civil police unit, which found more than 40 buildings in the area had been violating spatial planning laws and building regulations. Australian travellers who planned to stay at the destination have reportedly had their bookings voided according to Head of the Badung PP Police, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, said police had received a warrant "for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach", the Bali Sun reported. Several businesses had been issued demolition notices in the last two months, giving them time to make adjustments to adhere with building regulations. Regent of Badung Adi Arnawa said despite widespread public outcry, the government actions would still go ahead. 'Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land. So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero. People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land,' Regent Arnawa stated. Bingin Beach has been a top spot for surfers for decades including Aussies, while American surfing champion Kelly Slater has voiced his displeasure about the future of the hotspot. 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?' he said. 'Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. 'I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' A local business owner also voiced their concerns over the developments. "In the past, this place was only a place for fishermen's activities. When tourists start to come, we slowly expand. Building at Bingin Beach is certainly not an easy thing. In addition to extra effort, the cost is not small," he said. 'If we are considered wrong because we occupy the country's land, then where is the country when everything has been running for over 30 years? Why is it done? Why is it that only the public is required to obey the rules? Why is the government itself negligent? We hope the government will provide a solution.'
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Bali beaches set for an Aussie-inspired makeover
Many Aussies will be planning winter escapes to the popular tropical island, but Bali leaders have looked to Australia for inspiration to transform their most visited beaches. The Badung Regency Government — who oversee tourist hotspots like Kuta, Legian, Canggu, and Uluwatu — is on a mission to make the region more pedestrian-friendly. Head of the Badung Regency Government Regent Wayan Adi Arnawa said he was inspired by the east coast of Australia when thinking about future plans for Kuta. 'We will arrange pedestrian access from the Pantai Jerman coast to the north so tourists can walk or exercise along the beach,' Mr Arnawa told The Bali Sun about plans which will be completed by 2026. 'So it becomes a plus for tourists who stay in Kuta. Like in Gold Coast, the pedestrianised areas are wide and comfortable.' Mr Arnawa recognised the ongoing problem of congestion on the island, especially in the bustling beach town of Kuta, which has been a huge driver for making the infrastructure improvements. The vibrant nightlife of Seminyak attracts crowds of tourist which often leads to congestion in the area. Credit: seejohn. / Theeranan - 'Congestion is a serious problem for us,' he told reporters on July 1. In the Kuta area, alongside improving pedestrian access, officials also want to clear up overhead cables, create more shade, increase street lights, and add new breakwaters to ensure that coastal erosion does impact the beachfront for generations to come. It's not just Kuta officials in Bali are focusing on, they also want to deal with congestion in the incredibly popular Canngu area. Pererenan has become one of the busiest and most popular beach locations in the world, since it was named Time Out Magazine's coolest neighbourhood of the year in 2024. 'The beaches of Badung are not only a tourist attraction but also have high spiritual and cultural value for the community, especially as a place to carry out religious ceremonies,' Arnawa clarified to reporters.
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Perth Now
Aussies ditch holidays to Bali for sad reason
A TikTok video has highlighted the sad reality of what a holiday to Bali now looks like, and its not pretty. Bali has long been a popular international destination for Aussies, offering pristine beaches and bustling night life, but the amount of tourists on the island may be the very thing that's destroying it. Aussies are becoming fed up with the overcrowding and two-hour traffic jams in the tourist hotspots on the island. In the video, hundreds of bikes and cars can be seen crowding a road in Canggu at 5.30pm in standstill traffic in what one viewer described as a 'hell hole.' 'I'm in Bali now, it's my fourth and last time here. I used to love it, this time I can't wait to get out,' one person commented. 'This has me rethinking staying in Canggu in a few weeks,' wrote another. 'Was going to Bali but made a good decision and save $$ to go to Thailand instead,' said a third. In the video, hundreds of bikes and cars can be seen crowding a road in Canggu at 5.30pm. Credit: TikTok / vastlyinteresting Local leaders in Canggu came together earlier this year to discuss how the community could deal with the monumental amount of traffic in the region. The meeting was attended by the Badung Regency Government, Canggu Traditional Village Leaders, local police and the Head of the Traffic Unit of Badung Police. 'Solutions discussed included conducting traffic engineering at several key points around the resort area, implementing a one-way system, and increasing road capacity,' according to the Bali Sun. 'Currently, what we can do is deploy a traffic jam relief team that goes around to the congestion points. We hope for support from the community so that all efforts made, run well.' The amount of tourists jetting off to Bali isn't just affecting the roads, the island has a serious waste-management problem too, with the beaches often being swamped by huge piles of plastic waste that wash ashore. 'A massive 66,000kg of trash was collected by volunteers between over the Christmas holiday period in 2024,' said charity organisation Sungai Watch. With many Aussies becoming fed up with the congestion and waste issues facing Bali, perhaps the golden era of Bintags and perfect beaches has come to an end.
