As summer is fast approaching and the weather is warming up more and more visitors are descending on the coast and it is vital you take extra precautions on our beaches to ensure your safety.
GORCC has been calling for all coastal users to take heed of signage, particularly in areas of shared use such as Fishermans Beach. Read the full media release.
Enjoy the water safely:
If you are thinking about swimming ensure you know which beaches are patrolled or unpatrolled to ensure your safety.
During summer, many of our beaches are patrolled by life savers with red and yellow flags indicating the safest areas to swim at each beach – please swim between the flags.
If you are using an unpatrolled beach, make sure you:
- Read and obey the safety signs
- Know how to swim
- Always swim under supervision or with a friend
- Check it’s okay to swim before you enter the water, conditions change regularly, and
- If you are unsure of conditions, ask a lifesaver or give it a miss.
Other tips for ensuring your safety in or by the water can be found on our website.
Take care near cliffs
Many cliffs along the Great Ocean Road coast, particularly in the area between Jan Juc and Point Roadknight, and also at Aireys Inlet, are susceptible to instability. Consequently, you should pay attention to advisory signs, take care near cliffs, keep to designated walking tracks and avoid areas of cliff instability.
Areas of seasonal coastal shoreline erosion can also create unstable, temporary ‘sand cliffs’ which are not like normal cliffs and are more susceptible to collapse.
Protect the coast and others – don’t litter!
To ensure the safety of all enjoying the coast this summer and to ensure our coast remains healthy and litter free, especially now during the busier months, please remember smoking and glass containers are banned from all beaches.
Several designated foreshore grass areas are also glass-free between 9pm to 6am from mid-November to end-January each year.
Why we enforce bans:
- The bans aim to reduce the negative impacts of smoking and glass on our beaches.
- Cigarette butts are a litter and environmental nuisance while glass is a safety and litter issue. Both cause untold damage to people, wildlife and the coast.
So please do your bit and use the bins located in grassed foreshore areas and adjacent to sand areas to dispose of your butts, bottles and other litter.
Click here for more tips on enjoying the coast safely this summer.
Related blog posts:
 Beachgoers and dunes at risk |
 Top tips to care for coast |
 Don’t be a butt with your cigarette: |
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 