Bali’s governor hopes to pass a new regulation banning private beaches by the end of 2025.

Bali is pressing ahead with plans to guarantee that all private beaches remain accessible to the public, following growing complaints that hotels, villas and beach clubs are shutting residents out of shoreline areas that should remain open to everyone.

Bali’s beaches have long been used for Hindu sea ceremonies, which makes open access vital for local communities. A development boom has transformed much of the coastline, however, and while national law states that beaches cannot be privatised, enforcement has been inconsistent.

The regulation, put before Balinese lawmakers by Governor I Wayan Koster on 17 November, attempts to address that gap by reaffirming the shoreline as a public asset and curbing the restrictions some commercial operators are imposing. (Euronews)