Rex they don't consult the public at all, for anything. They seem to think they have a mandate to do as they please without notice.
They see a few families playing and swimming on the beach right in front of the car park and assume thats what all 'beach goers' do and those people are all who need to be considered.
What about the fishermen? What about the surfers?
I guess we're a minority.
Ocean beach is a great public resource for this area. I bet they have no idea how much money is spent in local Tackle shops, and water-sports retailers with ocean beach as one of the the intended 'play grounds'.
It would be in retailers interest to become proactive in keeping these areas open as well.
Go out there on a public holiday and count the kontikis/seahorses, quads, surfers, fishermen etc..