One of the most recognizable places on the Bukit Peninsula is rapidly changing its appearance.
The labyrinths of narrow corridors, surfer cafes, and budget guesthouses, from whose balconies guests watched the surf and sunset, are disappearing. The "ant hill" of Bingin, as if transported from the Mediterranean shores, is being erased from the steep cliff.
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Protests by the owners of establishments built without permissions did not help: evening live music was drowned out by hammers and drills. The day before, Bali governor Wayan Koster together with the regent of the Badung district, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, officially initiated the demolition of 48 structures; the district budget covered the costs.
Surfers and former guests are deciding where to find their "home" wave now. Petitions are multiplying in chats: some demand preserving free access to the shoreline, while others propose creating a public leisure area. Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater called the situation a "sad sight" and urged the authorities to ensure open access to the wave and take the community's opinion into account.
Opinions among locals are divided. Some approve of the cleanup, hoping that the shore will stop crumbling under chaotic construction; others fear losing the democratic atmosphere where authentic wooden warungs neighbored with family guesthouses and luxury villas. The authorities promise to hold a job fair, allocate subsidies for retraining staff, and help former employees find work in other tourist clusters, but many fear that "temporary" unemployment will drag on.
A similar scenario has already occurred two years ago at Berawa Beach in Canggu. Back then, in the spring of 2023, the public order service dismantled about thirty coastal warungs: businesses were first accused of illegally occupying state land, then given a month to voluntarily dismantle the structures. The result was a wide pedestrian promenade and several licensed establishments with higher prices appeared. Some employees of the old cafes did indeed find work in new projects, but no free, democratic eateries remain along Berawa's coast. This experience is cited by those advocating for the preservation of Bingin as a warning.
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The key question is the future of the vacated area. According to the vice governor, the land may go to investors if their projects pass environmental assessments and public hearings. Various scenarios are being proposed — from a public park with minimal commerce to a boutique hotel with obligatory beach access.
By the end of the summer, workers plan to complete the dismantling of structures, after which the slopes will undergo a geotechnical assessment. Whether there will be an open area for everyone or another premium complex will be revealed by the result of public discussions and government decisions. It's hoped that construction debris won't end up in the ocean.
Sources: bali.antaranews.com, news.com.au
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