Fences and additional signs are installed on dangerous beaches along the Esperance Coast after a flood of drowning in southern Western Australia.
Two people died in waters this month for Esperance together with three other beaches along the south coast of the WA.
A 56-year-old woman drowned on Saturday in Hellfire Bay, 750 kilometers southeast of Perth, and a 40-year-old woman died after he was swept three weeks earlier in Salmon Beach, 7 km from Esperance from Esperance.
They have represented the 18th and 19th deaths in Esperanz waters since 2001.
“Black Rocks” the risk
Much of the danger results from a black algae on rocks that line many of the picturesque beaches in the region.
It becomes particularly slippery when it is wet and sometimes leads people to fall into the water.
The rocks are also hit by rogue waves that appear even on apparently calm days and can hit people from their feet.
During a media information yesterday, the Esperance Shire said that it would install fence and warning signs at both ends from Salmon Beach to deter people from these dangerous rocks.
If this is well received, more fences and signs are installed in Chapman's point and picnic (also known as dolphine).
Chapmans Point is popular with tourists and surfers, who thus access a popular break. ((ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)))
These were the locations of recent deaths in connection with rocks, with two people died within four months after they fell out of rocks in Chapman's point in Chapmans two years ago.
Chris Brien, chairman of the Esperance Coastal Safety Group, said that the move was “well created”.
Chris Brien says that every drowning is tragic for the community. ((ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)))
“The tourists do not know how dangerous these rocks are. People who grew up in the city do it, but do not do tourists,” he said.
“We have to get this message out, and this is part of a longer strategy to clarify visitors about the dangers of the place to our beautiful coast.”
The incumbent Esperance Shire President Jennifer Obourne hoped that the Salmon Beach fence and the signage would be available in the next few weeks.
She said the signs would show an exclamation mark on a yellow background, which would communicate the danger despite language barriers.
Strategy for tourists
Cr Obourne said that the Council met the Esperance Coastal Safety Group on Tuesday to discuss opportunities to combat the problem.
“We were told that most of the deaths take place within 24 to 48 hours after an incoming tourist,” she said.
“They are people who are new to the area who jump into the car and take a look at it because it is beautiful and want to take the photo.
Local stakeholders plan to advise a strategy to make the Esperance Coast safer. ((ABC Esperance: Hayden Smith)))
“But unfortunately the punishment is really hard when you make a mistake.
“We try to find a way to implement just a few buffers and mercy so that the mistake does not have to be fatal.”
She said the group would return to the shires with a recommendation for a formal strategy in the coming months.