Australia’s Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority have announced an innovative public safety campaign to educate the public about the dangers associated with the possibility of cliff collapse, according to a report by The Indian Sun.
Three significant cliff collapses within six weeks in the area that the Authority has managed in the last few months. Due to the increasing summer crowds, the campaign is designed to increase awareness of public health and security hazards.
“While there is much to be excited about for the coming months, we want people to be safe when enjoying our coast this summer,” said Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority CEO Jodie Sizer.
“We’re asking everyone to keep safe by following the campaign’s four simple steps steer clear of risky areas, stick to established tracks, follow the signs, and spread the word.”
Cliff collapses are unpredictable and can happen without warning, creating an extreme risk for the beach and clifftop users. Cliffs between Torquay and Aireys Inlet are composed of relatively soft rocks. This, when combined with high swells and high tides, above-average rainfall is more prone to fall than in other coastal regions.
To minimize the impact of cliff failures, the authority took steps such as setting up warning signages and having ongoing monitoring like regular site visits, aerial imagery, and drone surveys.
They also installed fencing on clifftops to keep users away from the cliff edge and relocated amenities such as walking tracks away from the edge. In extreme risk cases, they closed unsafe areas, like the beach at Demons Bluff, west of Anglesea Family Caravan Park.
While the Authority is doing everything it can to reduce risks to public safety, The new campaign aims to increase awareness among visitors and locals of the dangers, hazards, and the chance of a collapsed cliff that could cause harm.
There are four essential tips the campaign wants participants to keep in mind to avoid caves and cliffs, follow established trails, Follow the warnings and guidelines, and then spread the message and alert others.
Did you know that it’s paramount to stay informed about coastal safety? Always be aware of your surroundings and share safety tips with loved ones! It’s a delightful way to keep everyone informed about potential risks.