VMS boards located in Kilcunda and at the Phillip Island Visitor Centre are part of an increased beach safety awareness campaign for the long weekend. Bass Coast Shire Council said it was providing increased print and digital communications in addition to the existing beach signage and messaging.
As the long weekend approaches with expected high temperatures, Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Clare Le Serve has urged beachgoers to safely manage their visits to the Bass Coast region.
"As always, we encourage all beach users to assess the environment and take precautions to prevent tragedy by swimming or wading on patrolled beaches, checking signs and swimming or wading only between the flags.
"If you are unsure about conditions on a beach; do not swim there. Please only enter the water on patrolled beaches where there are lifeguards. We want everyone who comes to enjoy our beaches to go home safely.:
Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club has advised that patrols will run at Woolamai and Smiths Beach on each day of the long weekend.
Patrol hours are:
Saturday March 9, 1pm-5pm
Sunday March 10, 10am-5pm
Monday March 11, 10am-4pm
Cr Le Serve encouraged all visitors and residents to download the Beach Safe app (Beachsafe App | SLSA Beachsafe) and access key beach safety messaging on the Life Saving Victoria website and through the council's Visitor Information Centres.
"For the long weekend, Council is providing increased print and digital communications in addition to the existing beach signage and messaging," Cr Le Serve said.
"In partnership with Life Saving Victoria and relevant agencies, Council has increased beach safety messaging on social media and will utilise print and VMS board messaging at key locations throughout the Shire.
"Inter-agency collaboration to improve beach safety in Bass Coast Shire is ongoing, and relevant stakeholders have convened multiple times over the last months to review data and recent events, and identify opportunities to strengthen messaging in the longer term.
"While Council only directly controls signage at Council-managed beaches, Council continues to drive a collaborative approach across agencies to maintain consistency and drive overall beach safety across the Shire.
"Council will continue to advocate State and Federal governments to boost beach safety as part of their tourism and migration strategies, while urging local community members and visitors to stay safe at our beautiful beaches."
