Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog
News and stories from our iconic coast
Pedestrians and beach users are encouraged to take care near cliffs along the Surf Coast following heavy rain in winter and spring.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Parks Victoria and Surf Coast Shire Council said the start of summer was a good opportunity to remind community members and visitors about cliff instability.
Fire season is here and Victorians are being urged to become fire ready with more hot, dry conditions forecast for December.
Although we live along the coast, coastal vegetation can fuel hot and dangerous bushfires. Beaches, foreshores and shallow waters may not be safe or protect you and your family from radiant heat.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging Victorians to be vigilant and well prepared during bush fire season and has provided some simple tips to lessen the chances of a fire around your house.
CFA Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said a written plan is the best way to remember what needs to be done during an emergency.
“It is important to prepare your property, but also prepare yourself,” he said.
“If you’re out on the roads or holidaying, know what the weather is doing in your area and stay tuned to more than one source of information and warnings to stay safe.”
CFA deputy Chief Officer Steve Warrington urges people to check their barbeques are still in good working order.
“It is vital people check that connections, gas cylinders, hoses and connections are not a disaster waiting to happen,” he said.
Things to look out for:
The CFA is asking people planning a burn-off to do the right thing and check conditions and register with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority by calling 1800 668 511.
The CFA said the responsibility for surviving the fire season is shared between emergency services and the community.
STAY INFORMED AND BE PREPARED
How fire ready are you? Let us know what you’re doing to stay safe this fire season in the comments below.
Summer is the perfect time to visit our beautiful beaches along the surf coast and enjoy the glorious sunshine.
To ensure everyone has a great time this holiday season, read our top tips for keeping you and your family safe.
Swim between the flags
Swimming between the flags is one of the easiest ways to stay safe this summer. Volunteer and paid lifeguards are patrolling Victorian beaches all summer to help protect beachgoers. The ocean is unpredictable which is why you always need someone looking out for you.
If you have young children, please remember that you must be within an arm’s reach of your child at all times and give them your full attention to ensure their safety.
You can view a full list of patrolled beaches and key dates in Victoria on Life Saving Victoria’s website. http://www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au/www/html/1402-patrolled-beaches.asp
If you are swimming in an unpatrolled beach, make sure you read and obey the safety signs and check that it is okay to swim before you enter the water as conditions can change regularly. It is vital that you know how to swim well and always recommended to have someone to look out for you whilst you are in the water.
More safety by the water information can be found on Life Saving Victoria’s website.
Wear a lifejacket
The Victorian boating regulations require Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) to be carried on a boat for all persons.
All occupants must wear a PFD if they are:
For more information about the Victorian regulations click here.
Many areas along the coast are subject to seasonal coastline erosion, especially Jan Juc and Anglesea regions causing unstable cliffs. To keep your family safe, please read and obey the advisory signs and take care when near cliffs. It is recommended to stay on designated walking tracks to avoid areas of cliff instability.
What can I do?
For more information about unstable cliffs visit the Department of Environment and Primary Industries website click here.
There are several spots between Point Addis and Anglesea River that can become impassable at high tide. It is important to check the current tide times and be aware of tidal changes to avoid being caught. Always read the warning signs and familiarise yourself with the area before walking along the coastline. If you are unsure about an area ask a local or seek further information.
For information about local coastal walks and their accessibility click here.
Related blogs:
 Beachgoers and dunes at risk |
 Top tips to care for coast |
 Take 3 to keep coast healthy |
Australians, and our many overseas visitors, have a profound love for the coastline and the Surf Coast is home to some of Australia’s most scenic and popular beaches.
Each summer, the surf coast population almost doubles with visitors. In the lead up to the holiday season, here are our three top tips for having fun in the sun and playing it safe at the beach this summer.
1. Swim between the flags
We all love a day at the beach, but it is important to remember the surf can be unpredictable. That’s why lifeguards put up red and yellow flags to show you the supervised area. The majority of Australians know this, but over half sometimes swim outside of the flags.
If you are thinking about swimming, make sure you know which beaches are patrolled or unpatrolled to ensure your safety. You can view a full list of patrolled beaches and key dates in Victoria on Life Saving Victoria’s website here.
During summer, many of our surf coast 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.
2. Take care near cliffs & high tide marks
Many cliffs along the Great Ocean Road coast, particularly in the area between Jan Juc and Point Roadknight, and also at Aireys Inlet, can be unstable due to high tides and erosion. It is important to read and pay attention to advisory signs, take care near cliffs and keep to designated walking tracks.
There are also areas of seasonal coastal shoreline erosion which can also create unstable, temporary ‘sand cliffs’. These are not like normal cliffs and are more prone to collapse.
3. Take 3 for you, me and the sea
Our beaches are often lined along the tide marks with plastics, bottles, cigarette butts, fishing line and hooks, and other rubbish discarded by people. Not only can litter pose threats to physical safety, it also poses a major threat to marine life.
Most beaches along our surf coast have rubbish bins positioned in strategic locations so you don’t have to walk too far to dispose of your litter.
Remember to dispose of your rubbish appropriately or pick up three pieces of rubbish every time you leave the beach and help protect our beautiful coast and its marine life.
Other tips for ensuring your safety in or by the water can be found on our website.
Related blogs:
| Beachgoers and dunes at risk |
| Top tips to care for coast |
 Rubbish dumping still a threat to our coast |
 Deal with waste responsibly |
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:
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:
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: |
Tiger Snakes and Lowland Copperheads are starting to get more active along the Surf Coast as we move into the warmer weather.
In a media release from the Department of Environment and Sustainability (DSE) it was reported the arrival of spring weather means more people are getting outdoors at the same time that snakes are coming out of hibernation.
DSE Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) Senior Scientist Nick Clemann said snakes will be emerging from their hibernation over winter to bask in the sun and start moving about to look for food and a mate.
“Spring means more people are out walking their dogs, cycling, bush-walking, enjoying parks and gardening so, depending on where they live and walk, they are quite likely to encounter a snake,” Mr Clemann said.
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee encourages the community to keep dogs on leads, and steer clear of long grasses, rocks and bushes where snakes might be lurking.
DSE have provided some key points to remember about living in an area with snakes:
What to look out for:
For further information and descriptions of the Lowland Copperhead and Tiger Snake visit The Australian Reptile Park website.
For a full list of snakes in Victoria visit the Museum Victoria website.
Take a look at some other ways to stay safe on the coast here.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 
