BEACH BARRIER: Drowning fears prompt fence plan

By Peter Collins
Updated November 7 2012 - 1:33pm, first published July 19 2009 - 11:43am
Lifesaver Rebel Noter at Warrnambool's Lady Bay. The Warrnambool City Council are considering a report that some tracks be blocked and more fences be built to stop people accessing beach where conditions are dangerous. Picture: ANGELA MILNE 090713AM23
Lifesaver Rebel Noter at Warrnambool's Lady Bay. The Warrnambool City Council are considering a report that some tracks be blocked and more fences be built to stop people accessing beach where conditions are dangerous. Picture: ANGELA MILNE 090713AM23

ACCESS paths to Warrnambool's wide Lady Bay beach will be restricted in an effort to reduce the risk of drowning.Many unofficial dune walkways will be closed and fencing extended almost the entire length of the promenade.A study conducted by Lifesaving Victoria recommends 70 new signs be installed along the foreshore extending from Levys Point to Logans Beach.It is estimated the signs will cost $45,000 to buy.City council infrastructure director Peter Robertson warned councillors if the report's recommendations were not heeded the council could face litigation if someone drowned or was injured because of incorrect or lack of signage."A further impact would be the risk of damaged reputation and image to council if a drowning was to occur and recommendations in the plan had not been implemented," he said.Mr Robertson said closure of several access points would help preserve the dune system.The report recommends closing uncontrolled access points: at the Bluehole car park and other nearby unofficial tracks, four paths near Grannys Grave, eight paths between Grannys Grave and The Flume, one track near Surf Side One caravan park and a review of 10 other access points between The Flume and the surf club.It also recommends a review on many access points between the surf club and yacht club.One defined access path to Stingray Bay is recommended for closure and new "swimming not advised" signs erected warning of strong currents and submerged objects and sand bars. At Levys Point, a popular beach spot for anglers and surfers, the report recommends access be restricted to one track.Five people drowned at Stingray Bay in January 2005.Mr Robertson said it was hoped to implement the recommendations before next summer.Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club captain Rebel Noter said the report recommendations would make it easier to supervise beachgoers on busy summer days."We have up to 3000 people in a day on the beach," he said."By restricting access paths it will invite people to enter the beach closer to our patrol area."Mr Noter said several paths opposite Surfside One were dangerous because of steep drop-offs at the dune edge."Sometimes people walk down from the caravan park to the beach at night. It's dangerous," he said.Club president Stephen Kerr said visitors sometimes followed unofficial access tracks to the beach at locations not suitable for swimming.The area east of The Flume is popular with surfers but is dangerous for swimming because of deep channels, rips and kelp.

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