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A partnership between Colac Otway Shire Council and Life Saving Victoria will see patrols extended at Kennett River this summer.

Kennett River is a small seaside town in Victoria, Australia. Situated 174 kilometres west of Melbourne, on the Otway Coast portion of the scenic Great Ocean Road.

Colac Otway Shire Council and Life Saving Victoria will invest $28,000 to provide lifesaving patrols at the beach on weekdays and Saturday mornings from 21st December 2024 to 2nd February 2025.

The increased funding comes following advocacy from the Kennett River Association and the Kennett River Surf Life Saving Club and builds on the capacity of local Surf Life Saving volunteers that patrol the beach on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays over summer.

Victorians hitting the beach this summer are reminded to swim at patrolled locations and between the red and yellow flags.

To make sure everyone gets home safely, swimmers should always check the conditions of the water including the depth and currents, swim at patrolled locations, wear a lifejacket when boating or fishing, avoid drinking alcohol and going out in the water, always supervise children and never swim alone.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will review future funding arrangements for coastal beaches following the release of the Inspector General for Emergency Management’s report into water safety across Victoria.

Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor Marg White noted “Council is very proud to support lifesaving services at Kennett River with funding of $20,000 in this year’s budget which complements funding provided by Lifesaving Victoria to deliver this service to the community of Kennett River in 2024-25.

“This is in addition to the $40,000 that Council already provides at beaches in our shire, including Apollo Bay and Wye River.

“In preparing the 2024-25 budget we received strong feedback from our community toward the necessity to allocate funds toward lifesaving services at Kennett River, we’ve listened and responded to that feedback with this funding.

“Council welcomes the commitment from GORCAPA as land manager, to review future funding arrangements for coastal beaches including Kennett River to ensure a consistent approach across the region.

“With the number of visitors to our region continuing to increase, professional services to assist and ensure safety at our beaches is of utmost importance.”

Liam Krige, General Manager - Lifesaving Services, Life Saving Victoria added “I want to express our gratitude for the support from the Colac Otway Shire and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) along with other key stakeholders in the Kennett River region.

“Their contributions are crucial as we continue to provide essential services and ensure a safe beach environment for the thousands who visit the coast each year. We are also eager to maintain and grow our collaboration with all land managers including Colac Otway Shire and GORCAPA.

“Together, we are dedicated to safeguarding our regions' waterways for both present and future generations. We deeply appreciate the community's recognition of LSV as an indispensable service and thank them for their ongoing support.”

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Director Environment and Coastal Operations Dr Lisa Mills advised “Thousands of people will flock to beaches along the Great Ocean Road beach this summer – we want them to enjoy the water and come home safe at the end of the day.

“The Great Ocean Road has some of the best beaches in the world and we’re incredibly fortunate to have dedicated volunteer lifesavers and professional lifeguards on duty this summer.

‘We understand the growing popularity of Kennett River puts pressure on local services and we’re working with the community to provide the infrastructure and services the region needs.”

Image from front: Liam Krige - General Manager - Lifesaving Services, Life Saving Victoria; Tim Rothman, Kennett River Surf Life Saving Club Captain; Marjorie Quinn, Secretary Kennett River Association; Marg White, Mayor of Colac Otway Shire

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