Fear signs pointing to repeat of ’60s beach horror

Kim Waters
Removal of a rip warning sign at a Queenscliff beach has sparked fears of history repeating with a spate of drownings.
Long-time residents believe authorities have forgotten lessons of the past when Shortland Bluff Beach claimed three lives in the 1960s.
The 2.4-metre sign previously stood 20 metres from the shoreline, warning swimmers of a strong undertow. The sign was removed last month and replaced with a smaller warning near steps to the beach.
Former sea pilot master Colin Springall, of Queenscliff, said the new safety sign at the Ocean View beach steps did little to alert swimmers to the dangerous rip.
“The original sign was erected in the ’60s when three people drowned from that rip in a month,” Mr Springall said.
“In the last few years the sign has faded and it needed to be replaced but there is no way they should have just gotten rid of it.”
“Hundreds of people swim at that beach and they won’t notice the little sign council has put in but that big sign was hard to ignore.”
Fisherman Lewis Ferrier requested the original sign in 1962 after the spate of drownings.
“A lot of people who swim at that beach enter via the rocks on the side, so they won’t even see the new safety sign,” Mr Ferrier said.
“If anyone had been around when those three little kids drowned in the ‘60s they wouldn’t be happy about the old sign being removed.
“It’s a really dangerous undertow and one little sign at the top of the beach doesn’t do enough to warn residents and tourists of the danger.”
But Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving club spokesperson Matthew Ponsford said the new sign was “adequate” and satisfied safety guidelines.
He pointed out that the beach had a hazard rating of two on a 10-point scale, with one at the lowest end of risk.
“Two is a very low number compared with the patrolled Surf Beach at Point Lonsdale, which is an eight.”
Mr Ponsford said Point Lonsdale Surf Club discussed residents’ concerns with Borough of Queenscliffe last week.
“We’ve discussed the issue with council and its up to them to refer it back to Surf Life Saving Victoria,” he said.
Mayor Bob Merriman said he was unaware of any concerns about the signage.
“Works on the beach are almost complete and we’ve implemented all the recommendations made by Surf Life Saving Victoria and State Government,” he said.