NEW safety signs have been rolled out at some of the peninsula’s most dangerous beaches under a trial aimed at reducing drowning risks.
The signage initiative, led by Life Saving Victoria (LSV), will be in place across summer at some of the state’s most dangerous beaches, including both patrolled and unpatrolled locations on the Mornington Peninsula.
Through the Coastal Safety Signage Project, the “high-impact warning signs” follows research showing that certain sign designs are far more effective at communicating hazards to the public.
Beaches included in the trial are those with a history of tragic incidents: Gunnamatta Beach, Rye 16th Beach, Mills Beach, Woolamai Surf Beach/Anzacs, Kilcunda Beach, and Forrest Caves Beach.
The signs combine a skull-and-crossbones symbol to signal danger with a real-life image of a person in distress, and a message highlighting that drownings have occurred at the location.
“Research undertaken at Cowes, the Mornington Peninsula and other locations with members of the public indicated that a sign showing an image of a man in distress in the water and a sign depicting a symbol similar to the fire danger rating, alongside some translated warnings and symbols were the most impactful of those signs tested,” LSV said.
“These sign designs have since been installed at patrolled and unpatrolled high-risk beaches on the Bass Coast, including Phillip Island, and the Mornington Peninsula.”
Local lifesaving clubs and councils have been key partners in the project, including Woolamai Beach SLSC, Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club, Bass Coast Shire Council, City of Casey, Parks Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Belgravia Leisure.
“Together, we can make Victoria’s beaches safer for everyone,” LSV said.
Mornington Peninsula Shire deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro said, “I think everyone attending the beach should understand drowning is an actual real risk not a perceived one, and whilst Mills Beach looks extremely calm there is a known traditional rip through there, so I welcome the signage there”.
“I would like to remind everyone who visits the Mornington Peninsula and gets on their watercraft, whether it be paddle boards or kayaks, to always remember to wear a lifejacket because they save lives.”
Pingiaro thanked LSV and Volunteer Marine Rescue for stepping up at a busy time and keeping the community safe.
Cr David Gill said while he welcomed the new signage, the number of drownings on the peninsula remained unacceptably high and argued that greater investment in education and warning systems was needed.
He praised the work of volunteer lifesavers, particularly at high-risk beaches such as Gunnamatta, saying they faced some of the most dangerous conditions in the country.
But he criticised state government funding rules, noting that this masthead does not receive the state’s water safety campaign because it is based in metropolitan Melbourne. This is despite the region accounting for about ten per cent of Victoria’s coastline and having the highest number of swimming pools, and the largest number of drownings of any municipality.
First published in the Mornington News – 20 January 2026
