The project aims to help reduce coastal drowning deaths by assessing every beach and rock platform in the shire and is expected to take around four weeks to assess over 180km of coastline covering 156 locations including 102 beaches and 54 rock platforms throughout the Bega Valley Shire including the national parks.

The project will help to identify sites that may need additional signage and will result in a broader understanding of the threats and conditions unique to every beach in the shire.

Coastal Risk manager Adam Weir said that the team would use iPad software to input details such as hazards, rips, rocks and access details. This in turn would feed into a database and be produced as a report in about four to six weeks after the conclusion of the survey. Final assessment reports will be provided to the NSW government and other relevant agencies and land managers, creating a working ‘Blueprint’ for a state-wide coastal drowning prevention strategy.

Mr Weir said that big part of the project was engaging with the community. Shire residents are invited to attend a consultation forum where there will be opportunities to have some input, ask questions and make suggestions for the local area.

Public Consultation Forums will be held on:

* Thursday 30 January – Pambula SLSC at 6.30pm

* Tuesday 4 February – Tathra SLSC at 6.30pm

* Thursday 13 February – Bermagui SLSC at 6.30pm

Anyone unable to attend a forum can provide their comments via the website:  www.coastsafe.org.au/blueprint.