Better beach emergency services

Surf Coast Shire Council is replacing existing emergency marker signs in the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve to meet new government standards and improve emergency response times.

Three old emergency markers will be replaced with four new markers in revised locations, in line with advice from the Emergency Services Telecommunications Agency (ESTA).

The new markers are linked with ESTA’s computer system, which will help ensure a more direct emergency
response to 000 calls.

Mayor, Councillor Margot Smith, said the new markers would provide clearer directions for emergency services personnel attending call-outs to the reserve.

“Acting now, before summer, improves the ability of emergency services to respond to urgent calls.  

“I would encourage regular users of the reserve to become familiar with the new markers.

Cr Smith said the signs would have minimal impact on the reserve.

“As part of this project, the previous emergency markers will be removed.  

“No other signage changes are currently proposed at the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve due to the coastal management planning process that is now underway.”