Flying squads of sanitation teams will gear up for the summer months to ensure popular public places on the Northern Beaches are garbage-free and public toilets are cleaned more frequently.

Council will ramp up cleansing services over summer to supplement its COVID-19 summer safety plan, and cater for larger than usual crowds.

Chief Executive Ray Brownlee said Council anticipates an influx of visitors to beaches and outdoor leisure areas due to a forecast hot summer and travel restrictions from COVID-19.

“During the recent Labour Day long weekend alone we managed an increase of over 62 per cent more garbage at beaches and public places, compared to the same holiday weekend in 2019,” Mr Brownlee said.

“We were prepared for the hike so distributed 44 more bins at hotspots and scheduled 10 extra cleaning staff to shift an unprecedented 39 tonnes of garbage.

“Going forward, we will continue these extra teams so people can enjoy the warmer months outdoors without the nuisance of backed-up litter spoiling our beaches and leisure spots.

“This strategy is aligned with extra hygiene practices businesses and individuals are being urged to undertake to keep COVID-safe.

Additional services are scheduled for the bins along patrolled beaches over summer. These bins will be emptied twice or three times every day in some locations depending on the crowds and weather.

Extra cleansing staff will be scheduled to work additional shifts from early morning until 8pm, particularly on peak days.

If anyone notices any overflowing bins they can be reported to Council on 1300 434 434 any time and day.