Warrnambool City Council staff are working hard to help the Lady Bay look its best ahead of what’s expected to be a very busy long weekend on the foreshore.
CEO Andrew Mason said that seaweed was cleared from the beach three times a week during the peak season, with an extra clean also scheduled for Sunday January 25.
“We clean the beach at least three times a week from November to May, but easterly winds can deposit tonnes of new seaweed on the beach overnight,” he said.
“Seaweed is part of the natural environment, and while we work to remove what we can, on some days, seaweed on the beach is inevitable.
“Especially the section of beach near the Pavilion Café. The sand is too soft and our machinery would get bogged.
“But further east on the Main Beach, we are out in the early mornings removing the seaweed before most swimmers arrive, and we’ve got an extra clean planned for Sunday to help keep the beach as clean as we can over the long weekend.”
He said that staff had also worked to clear sand from the Promenade.
“We had the tractors clearing sand on the promenade on Monday, and by Friday, it had built right up again, so the tractors were back,” he said.
“Again, with easterly winds forecast over the weekend, sections of the Promenade may become sandy again, so especially if you’re riding a bike, please exercise caution.”
Mr Mason said that the issue of what to do with the seaweed on the beach was an ongoing topic of conversation in the community, but as of now, using it to stabilise the sand dunes was the most viable option.
“If a commercial operator wanted to take the seaweed away, we’d welcome it,” he said.
“This would be dependent on approval from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, but to this point, as far as I’m aware there hasn’t been a proposal put to the Victorian Government that effectively manages the fact that the seaweed doesn’t wash up on the beach consistently.
“Depending on which way the wind is blowing, there might be a lot, or there might be very little.”
Mr Mason also encouraged anyone enjoying themselves over the long weekend to do so safely.
“The weather forecast is for a hot and sunny weekend, so we’re expecting a lot of activity along the foreshore,” she said.
“Please swim between the flags, never swim alone or under the influence of any drugs or alcohol and stay sun smart. So slip, slop, slap, slide and seek shade.”
