Beach safety ahead of scorching weekend

BASS Coast Shire Mayor Cr Clare Le Serve has released the following message ahead of the long weekend, which is predicted to sit around 35 degrees on all three days: 

"As the long weekend approaches with expected high temperatures, we again urge 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.

"We encourage 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 throughout our Visitor Information Centres.

"For the long weekend, Council is providing increased print and digital communications in addition to the existing beach signage and messaging. 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."

The Mayors message comes as CFA are urging members of the  public to be vigilant and ensure their bushfire plans are in place with Saturday and Sunday in the Central district declared an extreme fire danger rating day and the West and South Gippsland districts high.

This long weekend, slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, slide on sunnies, and don't forget to only swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches.