Wristbands will be issued for free to all holidaymakers staying at Surfside Caravan Park but visitors must pay $10 for the entry tokens if they wish to stay at the site past 10 o’clock.

Warrnambool foreshore caravan parks manager Alex Reardon said the wristbands were a necessary contingency to prevent overcrowding at the parks, particularly past midnight. He said past celebrations had been marred by anti-social behaviour and teenagers causing disturbances in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

“Wristbands will be compulsory on New Year’s Eve for the first time this year,” Mr Reardon said. 

“That’s because we want to ensure that all holidaymakers enjoy their stay without being disturbed by people hanging around, loitering in the park or wandering around.

“We’ve had literally hundreds of people in the park for no reason in previous years so (this system) ensures that the site isn’t overcrowded.”

Police and security guards will patrol the perimeter of the city’s caravan parks to ensure all holidaymakers and temporary visitors have wristbands. 

Mr Reardon said people without bands would be asked to leave.

“This will make sure that all people in the caravan park are here for the right reasons.”

Senior Sergeant Russell Tharle said the wristband system would be rigorously enforced at all entry and exit points.