Local Water Safety

The Mornington Peninsula, surrounded by 192 km of stunning coastline, has alarmingly recorded the highest number of drownings in Victoria for two years.  Trends suggest that further fatal drowning incidents are inevitable every year for the foreseeable future.

Coming together in February 2024 and now known as the Mornington Peninsula Water Safety Alliance (MPWSA), this group comprises of representatives from various sectors including local agencies, industry, government bodies and community organisations. 

DROWNING PROFILE, MORNINGTON PENINSULA 2014 – 2024

  • 54 fatal drownings (9 times the Victorian LGA average)
  • 99% likely a fatal drowning will occurring our LGA in any year
  • 40 non-fatal drownings attended by paramedics (2018 to 2023)
  • 75 hospitalisations and 92 emergency department presentations from non-fatal drowning among residents 

RISK PROFILE STATISTICS, MORNINGTON PENINSULA

  • 83% male
  • 41% 25-44 years old
  • 41% culturally or linguistically diverse
  • 81% coastal drownings
  • 50% beaches
  • 17% rocky outcropts
  • 25% swimming, paddling or wading
  • 19% walking or playing near water
  • 39% recorded alcohol/drugs
  • 44% during summer
  • 48% on the weekend
  • Belgravia Leisure
  • MPS Emergency Management & Resilience
  • MPS Tourism
  • Life Saving Victoria
  • Parks Victoria
  • Surfing Victoria
  • Sorrento SES
  • Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club
  • Dromana Lifesaving Club
  • Department of Education – Aquatic Programming
  • Community Representation (Back Beach Collective)
  • Ambulance Victoria – Mornington Peninsula
  • Victoria Police – Rosebud
  • Kidsafe Victoria

These partnerships will play a crucial role in developing a localised aquatic safety plan and driving targeted actions for the Mornington Peninsula, while aligning with a broader regional strategy.

Short-Term Initiatives

Throughout 2024 and prior to the 2024/25 summer season, several short term immediate actions were initiated, including:

  • Programming initiative. Surfers Rescue 24/7 in January 2024.
    Yawa Aquatic Centre held a free Board Rescue and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course for surfers and recreational water users providing vital training to assist in an emergency situation
  • Community Consultation session held in September 2024
  • Development of community awareness and education communications (posters, social tiles and videos) funded by the “Play it Safe by the Water” initiative ($10k) 
  • Creation of a dedicated local website for local resident and visitor water safety information, campaigns, recourses and MPWSA alliance project updates
  • Implementation of water safety messaging for schoolies groups visiting the region with unified campaigning
  • Programming initiative. Belgravia Leisure swim school students and broader community engagement ahead of summer in November 2024 with Float to Survive with GOswim
  • Driving advocacy for research on signage effectiveness and publicly accessible flotation devices with Lifesaving Victoria 
  • Distribution of safety articles and preparedness resources through tourism and media channels prior to summer
  • Creation of emergency safety information materials for short-term accommodations

Long-Term Vision

The long-term objective is the development of a local water safety plan, enhance awareness of coastal water risks and promote safe practices. The documents will be integral for both council, community and agencies in successfully achieving future grant and funding opportunities to fund projects and programs to meet the objectives. By integrating water safety education into learn to swim students and local schools through GOswim, targeted outreach to residents and visitors and leveraging the support of key stakeholders, we aspire to be part of the movement in creating a safer coastal environment for all who enjoy the waters of the Mornington Peninsula.

Advocacy Updates and Funding Opportunities.

Play It Safe By The Water ($10k)
In July 2024, Belgravia Leisure applied for grant funding from the Play it Safe by the Water for the creation of 3 x Mornington Peninsula Coastline collaborative assets aimed at educating both residents and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. Water safety messages regarding risk taking, influencers and preparedness will enable the local working group and its associated agencies to build community capacity with agencies able to launch educational media campaigns on water safety.

Regional Aquatic Framework and Local Mornington Peninsula Action Plan

A cross-council water safety framework is being developed with Bass Coast Shire and Mornington Peninsula Shire supported by Dandenong, Cardinia and Casey Councils with key stakeholders Lifesaving Victoria, Belgravia Leisure and the Multicultural Engagement Network.

This framework serves as a precursor to the development of a comprehensive local Mornington Peninsula Water Safety plan, ensuring a unified regional approach to water safety. Initiatives align with 15 national and international drowning prevention strategies, including the WHO Global Drowning Report, Australian Water Safety Strategy (2030) and Victorian Water Safety Strategy (2025). The notion of a regional and local plan is the first of its kind in Victoria for Water Safety.