The city's 11 kilometres of beaches are award-winning and continue to attract thousands of visitors and residents daily, which is why it is so vital to ensure safety is a priority, according to Councillor Sue Baker. She said new signage will assist people to make the right decisions when using the waterways.
The council is also investigating the usage of additional signage that features symbols that are recognised internationally as promoting water safety.
The topic of water safety has been promoted via brochure printing campaigns nationwide for many years. The latest move to introduce the signage was sparked by a horror run of drowning tragedies experienced in Victoria since July 2020, during which 43 people lost their lives.
Dr Bernadette Matthews of Live Saving Victoria said the statistics were the worst in recorded history and added:
“Our advice to beachgoers and waterway users is that every beach and waterway has different hazards, so we do urge you to take time to read safety Signs to understand the local hazards before entering the water."
Matthews encouraged people to use the Signs as a guide and to make careful decisions in areas around waterways, such as swimming between the flags or checking the prevailing conditions before jumping into the water, as safety is ultimately each individual's responsibility.
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