Esperance Shire Implements Safety Measures at Local Beaches
The Esperance Shire is enhancing safety measures at local beaches due to recent drownings, including installing fencing and signage to warn about danger posed by rocks.
The Esperance Shire is seeking community input on additional strategies to enhance safety at local beaches following a series of tragic drownings along the southern Western Australia coast.
In this month alone, two people lost their lives in the waters near Esperance, contributing to five drownings reported on WA's southern coastline. One victim, a 56-year-old woman, drowned at Hellfire Bay, while a 40-year-old woman died after being swept from the rocks at Salmon Beach three weeks prior.
These incidents mark the 18th and 19th drownings in Esperance waters since 2001.
The risk at these beaches predominantly arises from black algae covering the rocks, which can become extremely slippery when wet, often leading to accidents. Furthermore, unexpected rogue waves can strike even on calm days, knocking people into the water.
At a media briefing, the Esperance Shire announced plans to erect fencing and warning signs at both ends of Salmon Beach to deter visitors from the perilous rocks. Should this initiative prove effective, similar measures will be considered for Chapmans Point and Picnic (Dolphin) Cove, both recent locations for rock-related fatalities.
Chris Brien, chair of the Esperance Coastal Safety Group, described the initiative as a wise investment. "We need to get that message out and this is part of a longer strategy to try and educate visitors about the dangers of our beautiful coastline," he stated.
Acting Esperance Shire President Jennifer Obourne anticipated that fencing and signage at Salmon Beach would be completed within a few weeks. The signage will feature an exclamation mark on a yellow background to convey danger universally.
In a related effort, Cr Obourne stated that meetings with the Esperance Coastal Safety Group aimed at developing a formal strategy to improve safety, particularly focusing on the risks faced by tourists. “Most deaths occur within 24 to 48 hours of a tourist arriving,” she noted, stressing the need for better education on the local environment.
In light of the recent tragedies, the group is expected to present recommendations for safety measures to the shire in the coming months.
