SEASON BRIEFING
26 OCTOBER 2023
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTOF COUNTRY
We acknowledge and respect the separate and distinctWadawurrung Peoples and Eastern Maar Peoples as the Traditional Owners o f the Great Ocean Road’s land, waters, seas and skies and recognisetheir cultural knowledgethat has led to sustainablepractices and has cared for Country over tens of thousands of years.
We honour Elders pastand present and express gratitude for their sharing of wisdomthat has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices.
We are committed to genuinely partner and build meaningful relationships thatreflectself-determination and enable us to work together with our Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to support the protection of Country, the maintenanceof spiritual and cultural practices, and together deliver on their broader aspirations in the21st century and beyond.
ON THE AGENDA
2022-23 VICTORIAN DROWNING REPORT (LSV)
2023-24 OUTLOOK FOR THE AUTHORITY (LSV)
OCTOBER CLIMATE BRIEFING (BOM)
OTWAYS DISTRICT PREPAREDNESS (FFV)
AUTHORITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
SEASONAL CHALLENGES
CLIFF AND BEACH SAFETY
PEAK SEASON PLANNING
2013-14 to 2022-23 fatal drowningby location of incident (purple), location of residence (yellow), and combined (red)
Statistical Area 4 Drowning Profiles
State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP)
Extract of LSV’s role in the SEMP Mitigation
Provide safetyinspection servicesfor swimming pools, urban, coastaland inland waterways using approved risk management tools.
Provide water safetyexpert advice to support the emergencymanagement planning framework
Provide aquatic risk management services including safetydesign services to designers and developers of swimming pools and waterways
Set safetystandards for the development, operation and use of a range ofwaterways includingbeaches, public swimmingpools, home pools and spas, and urban waterways
Provide information and education displays at tradeshows and communityevents
Provide technical and reference manuals, texts, resources, and newsletters on water safety, lifesaving, life guarding, CPR and first aid
Provide subject matter expertise on water safetycampaigns and public awareness communication
Provide expert advice on aquatic riskmanagement systems and water safetysignage
Provide vocationaleducation and trainingprograms such as Pool Lifeguard, first aid, oxygen equipment, and specialist areas such as Automatic External Defibrillation and aquatic and dry spinal injurymanagement
Develop and provide education in water safetyand associated messaging, first aid, CPR, swimming and lifesaving programs at swimmingpools, open water locations, schools and lifesaving clubs including accredited trainingfor Personal Water Craft and Inflatable Rescue Boats
Response and relief
Provide air, water and land-based search and rescue services to locate lost persons and vessels at sea and inland waterways supporting VicPol through Rescue power craft (rescue boats and rescue watercraft): Inshore search and rescue (up to 2 nauticalmiles) as well as offshore search and rescue (greater than 2 nautical miles); Remote piloted aircraft systems (Drones); Helicopter services capable of winchingpersons over land and water; and All-terrain vehiclescapable of driving on beaches
Provide both paid and volunteer water-based patrollingincludinginshore, rescue and response services provided from LSV supported locations across Port Phillip Bay, the Victorian coastline and inland waterways
Provide air and sea marine animal detection services in support of the VFA
Provide water safetyfirst responder services for aquatic based events
Provide radio equipment and resources support to other agencies
Maintain and operate the State Lifesaving Operations Centre (SLOC) for the purpose of:
•dispatching and tracking ofLSV Emergency response assets in line with control agency requirements
•self-taskingto aquatic related incidents within agreed and declared area ofoperations
•self-managing incidents in relation to agreed and declared area of operations including the escalation of incidents/emergencies to the appropriate control agencyas required
Provide timely, coordinated information and warnings around beach and water safetyas well as baywater qualityto communities
Provide emergencyevacuation / relief centres at the lifesaving clubs
Provide first aid and other medical response support services to AV (as co-responder / emergency medical responder)
Relief Support Agency(RelSA)to provide support to lead agencies for health and medicalrelief (first aid) assistance measures
Relief Support Agency(RelSA)to provide support to lead agencies for pre -hospitalcare for people affected byemergencies
Relief Support Agency(RelSA)to provide support to lead agencies for the establishment and resourcingof field primarycare clinics
Overview for 2023-24
• 8+ Volunteer Lifesaving services
• 10+ Paid lifeguard services
• 4x RWC (Jet ski) state operations
• Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service
• 2 aircraft available
• Advanced live feed surveillance
• Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Drone Service
• 4 teams available for deployment
• LSV Comms (Dispatch) 24/7 support
• Event Lifeguard Service
• Dedicated operational training support
2023-24
OUTLOOK
TRENDS FOR THE SURF COAST AND OTWAY AREAS
Otways District Preparedness
October 2023
AUTHORITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
AUTHORITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Authority meets its obligations under the Emergency Management Act 2013 through a range of activities:
• Barwon South West (BSW) Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee (REMPC)
- BSW Plan
- State Emergency Management Plan
• REMPC Recovery Role
• BSW Training and Capability group
• Incident Control Centre training scenario session
• Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee and Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee – led by local LGAs
SEASONAL CHALLENGES
THE AUTHORITY SEASONAL CHALLENGES
Swimming at unpatrolled beaches
• Beach safety signs
• LSV mobile patrols
Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating Policy
• Rescheduling of works and events in high-risk areas, restrictions of travel
• Equipment and work restrictions, ie. petrol operated
• Regular communication – events, SLSC, staff, guests, contractors and volunteers
• Emergency Management and Planning Committee – review preparedness plans
Fire Preparedness
• Vegetation management
• Caravan parks preparedness - fire access audits and drills
Crowds, litter and public behavior
• Step up days - additional patrols and litter collections
• Share our Shores - education and compliance patrols targeting dogs, safety and environmental protection
Life Saving Victoria SEASONAL CHALLENGES
Visitation numbers
• Reporting
• Media and safety messaging
Visitors and locals swimming at unpatrolled beaches
• Extended patrols and observations/LSV mobile patrols
• Direct dispatch arrangements
• Community safety messaging
• Stand up capability
Patrol Season – extension due to weather forecast
• Increased and extended recruitment and support availability
• Out of hours on call availability
• Increased service availability
Volunteer Availability
• Patrol commitment adaptability
• Rostered staffing support
• Tailored patrol options
CLIFF AND BEACH SAFETY
CLIFF AND BEACH SAFETY
During 2022/23 there was a high frequency of cliff falls and landslips. More falls are expected and we are regularly monitoring cliff areas.
Key messages for the community and our SLSCs:
• Stay away from cliffs and caves
• Stick to established tracks at all times
• See the signs and follow official guidance
• Share the word and warn others of the risk
All information can be found here
https://www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Coastal-Reserves/Cliff-Risk Beach Safety Signage
- LSV risk assessment and report is complete
- 270 signs installed from Torquay to Marengo to help promote safety and identify risks of swimming in areas that are not patrolled
PEAK SEASON PLANNING
COMMERCIAL AND TOURISM
CARAVAN PARKS PEAK SEASON
MAJOR SUMMER EVENTS
TORQUAY
▪ 2 - 3 Dec – By the C / Summer Salt Music Festivals
▪ Dec – Carols by the Sea
▪ Jan – Pilk Purriyn (Australia Day Morning Event)
▪ Jan – Nightjar Market Festival
▪ Jan – Jim Wall
▪ Jan – Danger Swim Services
▪ Jan – Cadel Evans Bike Race
▪ Feb – Torquay Motor Show
▪ Feb – Festival of Colours
▪ Feb – Lookout Festival (Queens of the Stone Age)
▪ Mar – Here Comes the Sun Music Festival (Easter)
▪ Mar – Rip Curl Pro
▪ Monthly Cowrie Market
LORNE
▪ Jan – Pier to Pub / Mountain to Surf
▪ Feb – Victorian Masters Lifesaving Championships
▪ Feb – Australian Surfboat Rowers League
ANGLESEA
▪ Dec – Rock to Ramp
▪ Jan – Australia Day Regatta
▪ Feb – Junior Lifesaving Carnival
▪ Mar – Victorian Catamaran Championships
▪ Riverbank Markets
FAIRHAVEN
▪ Tim Gates Classic
WYE RIVER
▪ Blue Moose holiday program
APOLLO BAY
▪ Jan – Victorian Surfboat Rowers League
▪ Feb – Apollo Bay Seafood Festival
▪ Mar – Storm the Bay Swim
▪ Weekly Community Markets
▪ Apollo Bay carnival
EVENTS
CALENDAR
ESTABLISHED JUNE 2023
PROVIDESINFO ON BEACH BOOKINGS
INFO TAKEN FROM PERMIT APPLICATIONS
OPEN TO INCLUDE MORE ACTIVITIESIF REQUESTED
TOP 3 ISSUES
AFFECTING DELIVERY OF LIFESAVING OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
INCREASED VISITATION TO NON-PATROLLED BEACHES
LENGTH OF SEASON AND CHANGING RISK PROFILE
SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEERS
