A NEW beach emergency number sign was unveiled on the Guilderton foreshore this morning with other signs due to roll out in the Shire of Gingin in coming weeks.
Shire of Gingin President Wayne Fewster said there had been two drownings in the Moore River, which had happened in the past two summers so it had been deemed fitting to install the first of the shire’s 66 beach emergency number (BEN) signs on the Guilderton foreshore.
Following the fatal shark attack at Falcon in 2016 that claimed the life of Ben Gerring his brother Rick put forward the idea of beach emergency numbers after concerns about possible delays in attending emergency services trying to locate the closest beach access point to the incident.
The locations of the uniquely coded signs are recorded with emergency services and also include the street address and nearest cross street.
Other BEN signs will be installed at sites in Guilderton as well as Lancelin, Ledge Point, Nilgen, Breton Bay, Seabird, Gabbadah, Wilbinga.
Signs will also be installed at the Junction bridge rest area in Neergabby, Cowalla bridge rest area and the Barragoon Rd Moore River entrance in Caraban.
St John Ambulance Lancelin and Coastal Districts volunteer Bob James attended the launching.
Cr Fewster said Mr James had identified many locations on behalf of St John Ambulance first aid services where ambulance pickups happened most frequently in the shire.
“Bob was also involved with consolidating and providing information on the best tracks to take to access the BEN locations and the type of vehicles required,’’ he said.
“Additionally he provided contact numbers to gain land access and he suggested other local services who could assist with the BEN sign locations.’’
Some of the BEN signs will be on freehold or Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction-managed land but most will be placed on land managed by the Shire of Gingin.
A copy of the locations may be requested from the Shire of Gingin or will be viewable on the shire’s website shortly and the SharkSmart App (free to download – www.sharksmart.com.au/staying-safe/beach-emergency-numbers) in a few weeks.
