The Town of Cambridge restored hot water at City Beach’s public showers from 19 October 2024, after switching it off at the end of September amid concerns about illegal camping and rubbish. The Town said other measures appeared to have reduced camping and that it would monitor the effect of restoring hot showers. PerthNow reported in November 2025 that the Town would keep the hot water on and was developing a broader camping-management approach.
Why the Town turned off the hot water
The Town of Cambridge said increased illegal camping at City Beach had been accompanied by more litter, rubbish in bins and use of public facilities. On 3 October 2024, PerthNow quoted acting CEO Kelton Hincks saying: “Illegal camping has resulted in increased rubbish in bins, litter and greater use of public facilities, including showers and toilets.” PerthNow reported that the Town had issued eight infringements and three cautions relating to illegal camping in the area that year; those were figures reported at the time, not a full-year total.
The Town switched off the showers’ hot water at the end of September as part of its response. Its stated aim was to address the pressures associated with camping, but the available reporting does not establish that hot-water access caused illegal camping or that removing it reduced camping.
Why beach users objected
Regular beach users argued that the restriction affected ordinary swimmers and shower users while leaving the underlying problem unresolved. Vanessa Baxter, Visit City Beach spokesperson, told PerthNow: “We empathise with those struggling with the living conditions and are aware that the illegal camping can be a concern for residents,” but added, “But we don’t believe that shutting off the hot water is going to rectify the issue.” She also described the decision as short-sighted and argued locals should have been consulted.
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The Magnificent Morning Mermaids, a local swimming group, petitioned for hot water to be restored. PerthNow reported on 24 October that the petition had received 227 signatures. The group said few campers used the facilities, but that was its account; the sources do not provide independent usage data.
What the Town did alongside the shutdown
In its 17 October 2024 announcement, the Town said it had used several measures during the preceding three weeks:
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- Issued infringements under local laws.
The Town said these measures “appear to have been effective in reducing the number of illegal campers in the area” and enabled hot water to be reinstated. That is the Town’s assessment; the sources do not report an independent evaluation separating the effect of these measures from the hot-water shutdown or other factors.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When hot water returned—and what happened later
The Town announced on 17 October that hot water would be turned back on from 19 October 2024. It said it would monitor the impact of hot showers on illegal camping and use its observations to inform future decisions.
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In a follow-up published on 28 November 2025, PerthNow reported that the Town would keep hot water flowing for that summer and had ruled out repeating the shutdown tactic. The report said the Town was developing a coordinated camping-management plan expected to be implemented in early 2026, including education, public information, signage and compliance measures. It also noted the Town’s recognition that some people encountered may be sleeping rough and may need a different level of support from people camping recreationally.
The November 2025 report is the latest status in the available coverage; it does not independently confirm the showers’ condition today or establish whether the plan was subsequently implemented.
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Sources
- Town of Cambridge, “City Beach Shower Facilities re-adjusted for area management,” 17 October 2024.
- Harriet Flinn, PerthNow / Community News, report on the shutdown, 3 October 2024.
- Harriet Flinn, PerthNow, report on the petition and restoration, 24 October 2024.
- Harriet Flinn, PerthNow, follow-up on the Town’s approach, 28 November 2025.
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