IF IT was left to the State Government, our treacherous local surf beaches would be the scene of a lot more drownings this summer.

And both the Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, and the Bass Coast Shire Council have let the government know what they think about threatened cuts to government funding to Life Saving Victoria and the fact that local councils is being expected to pick up the tab.

Mr O’Brien raised the issue in State Parliament last Tuesday, August 26 and the Bass Coast Shire Council has followed with a strongly-worded statement this week.

“My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Victorians are facing fewer lifeguards on our beaches this summer despite the government charging Victorians an additional $3 billion in tax, supposedly to support our emergency services. Why are Victorians paying more and getting less?

Vicki Ward, the Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality rejected the premise of his question.

“On this side of the chamber we are always consistent in the deep respect that we have for our emergency services workers, including those who work along our waterways, helping to keep Victorians safe.

“We have beautiful waterways in this state, and we want people to be safe. We have strengthened the funding to Life Saving Victoria since coming to government. This includes more than $21 million to support lifeguards, build new clubs and deliver new boats, drones and equipment.

“And thanks to the ESVF, we have doubled the volunteer emergency services equipment program so that our hardworking surf lifesavers have the new equipment they need to keep Victorians safe on our beaches.

“I was recently in the member for Bellarine’s electorate – a fantastic, beautiful electorate – where we met with the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club. What we did was we not only spoke to the hardworking volunteers and thanked them for their work, but also saw how they had been backed with a new patrol vehicle, new trailer and two new rescue boats.

On a point of order, Danny O’Brien said the question is clearly about paid lifeguards and why Life Saving Victoria is seeking money.

But the Minister continued in the same vein.

“I really want to thank the member for Bellarine for her ongoing advocacy for her surf lifesaving clubs and the incredible work that they do. The investments that we are putting in are already ensuring faster responses and safer beaches for Ocean Grove and of course across Victoria.

“I think it also needs to be noted that those opposite cannot be trusted to fund these important emergency services that help keep Victorians safe. And why is that? That is because they do not support the funding that we are actually creating.

“They do not support the work that we are doing.”

But Bridget Vallence, the Liberal Party Member for Evelyn, also raised a point of order saying the question was about fewer lifeguards on Victoria’s beaches and why Victorians are getting less.

“I would ask you to ask the minister to stop debating the question,” she said.

The Speaker was forced to call the House to order before Minister Ward could continue again.

“We fund our emergency services much more than those opposite have ever done. We are funding nearly $2 billion in this budget in our emergency services, more than double what they had when they were last in government. It is very clear that it is not this side of the chamber our emergency services need to be worried about when it comes to funding, because we are investing well in our services.

“It is the cuts that are threatened by those opposite because they do not support the work we are doing in order to adequately, fully, properly fund our emergency services and help keep Victorians safe.

Mr O’Brien asked a supplementary question specifically about how much local councils were being expected to stump up to cover the widening gap in the cost of providing paid lifeguards, to support volunteer lifesavers, at the state’s popular surf beaches.

“Councils are being asked to contribute up to an additional 300 per cent to cover the cost of paid lifeguards at Victorian beaches because Life Saving Victoria is short of cash, while the CFA, SES and FRV base budgets have all been cut,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Why is the safety of Victorians being compromised because Labor cannot manage money?”

But the Minister for Emergency Services, Vicki Ward said Mr O’Brien was just plain wrong.

“Again, I reject the premise of the member’s question because he is absolutely wrong,” said he Miniser.

“The Premier has said this. The Treasurer has said this. I have said this. There are no cuts to our emergency services. We understand on this side of the chamber that everybody in this state has a role to play in keeping Victorians safe. That includes the funding that we put in as the Victorian Government – the lion’s share of funding that Life Saving Victoria receive for lifeguards and services.

“Everybody has a role to play, and that includes local governments. We all have a role to play, whether it is education, whether it is funding, whether it is supporting, and I would encourage those opposite to actually stop misinforming people and support our emergency services.”

But this week, the Bass Coast Shire Council has weighed into the debate, saying the shire had been forced to boost the amount it contributes to beach lifeguard patrols from $98,082 in 2024–25 to more than $260,000 this financial year.

The debate about properly funding surf lifesaving comes at a time when the tragic summer of 2023-24 is still front of mind, when six lives were tragically lost to drowning on Bass Coast beaches, including four members of one family.

The idea that the cuts in State Government funding should be allowed to play out on our beaches, with fewer patrols, is not one that either the community or the council is prepared to contemplate.

“Bass Coast Shire Council is deeply concerned about the future of beach lifeguard patrols on Bass Coast beaches and is calling on the Victorian Government and Life Saving Victoria (LSV) to guarantee their continuation,” said the Bass Coast Shire Council in a statement on Tuesday, September 2.

“Council currently contributes $98,082 in 2024–25 towards funded patrols, in partnership with Phillip Island Nature Parks. Despite this, Council has been asked to increase its contribution to over $260,000 (an increase of more than 160%) with limited consultation and outside the normal budget cycle.

“This drastic increase would not only strain Council’s budget resources but also put lives at risk.

“During the 2023–24 summer, six lives were tragically lost to drowning in Bass Coast, including four members of one family. While our beaches are among Victoria’s most beautiful, they are also some of the most dangerous, with hidden risks that even experienced swimmers can underestimate.

“In the 2023–24 Life Saving Victoria Drowning Report, Bass Coast ranked as the second-highest local government area in Victoria for drowning fatality risk. The report identified a 96% likelihood of a fatal drowning occurring in any given year.

“From early November, volunteers patrol at local Surf Life Saving Clubs every weekend and public holiday until Easter Monday. From mid-November until mid-February, LSV provides a paid lifeguard service during the week at four locations.

“Our community already volunteers their services on all weekends and public holidays. Asking them to carry even more responsibility through increased local funding is unfair and unsustainable.

“The bottom line, at the moment, is that LSV is indicating that, without increased contribution, they will scale back services from last year. This is unacceptable and creates significant risk for locals and visitors who deserve safe access to our beaches.

Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead said the local community was being expected to pay twice for emergency services.

“We have been loud and clear in our opposition to the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF), which is already taking tens of millions of dollars from Bass Coast residents. Add to that the 7% tax on nearly 2,000 short-stay rentals in Bass Coast, it’s clear our community is paying its share and more,” said Cr Halstead.

“Asking councils to fund beach lifeguards is unfair and unsustainable, and it’s disappointing to receive this request. These important services are relied upon by thousands of visitors every summer from across Victoria and the world, they deserve the same protection and security as when they rely on the CFA or SES.”

Council said it would continue to advocate strongly alongside other coastal councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and government leaders to deliver a sustainable funding model so that every beachgoer, resident or visitor can enjoy our coastline safely.

To express your concern about a lack of funding for Lifesaving Victoria to provide paid lifeguards midweek at four local surf beaches to support the volunteer surf lifesavers on the weekends, you can contact the Victorian Emergency Services Minister, the Hon Vicki Ward via the following email address: vicki.ward@parliament.vic.gov.au