Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is supporting calls to establish surf lifesaving patrols along the popular Cape Conran beach at peak times.
Mr Chester has written to Surf Lifesaving Victoria asking for a safety audit for the beach to be undertaken as a step towards establishing a summer lifeguards presence.
“The beach is located alongside the Banksia Bluff campground which at peak times can host several hundred campers in the area in addition to day visitors from surrounding towns,” Mr Chester said.
“From personal experience there have been times when I have attended the beach and there have been more than 300 people in the water with no surf lifesavers patrolling creating a potential safety risk.
“As a former water safety officer with the Lakes Entrance nippers program, the lack of patrolling concerns me greatly.
“Especially when it is an area regularly frequented by international visitors driving between Sydney and Melbourne.
“The nearest patrolled beaches to Cape Conran are at Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota and by my estimation it would be the longest stretch of coastline in Victoria without a patrolled beach.
“We are so fortunate in Gippsland to have a beautiful coastline but we must do what we can to protect visitors and keep swimmers safe when using waterways.”
Mr Chester said the campground is owned and managed by Parks Victoria and he believed the organisation had a duty of care, and should be responsible for hiring accredited lifeguards.
“Hiring accredited lifeguards during peak holiday periods would save lives and ensure all can enjoy our beaches,” Mr Chester said.