Ocean safety centre advocates remain buoyant on project hopes

LOBBYISTS for a regional ocean swim safety centre at Apollo Bay insist their dream project isn’t dead in the water despite failing to secure a bipartisan funding commitment during the state election campaign.

Campaigners for the Victorian Blue Ocean Safety and Skills (VBOSS) centre will continue their advocacy for the project ahead of the next State Budget in May 2023 after it fell on the wrong side of last month’s ballot.

Liberal Polwarth MP Richard Riordan had promised $15 million to build the centre and redevelop the Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club in two stages during the campaign for last month’s state election, but his party failed to win government.

The Labor party and its recent governments have provided in-principle support in the lead-up to recent State Budgets but have so far failed to follow up with concrete cash commitments.

VBOSS would establish a state-of-the-art education facility at Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and include accommodation at the town’s P-12 College, with the aim of running multi-day camps for school groups to train and teach young swimmers about how to behave in the water.

The project promises to deliver an economic boost for Apollo Bay, especially during off-peak seasons, while improving beach safety outcomes across Victoria.

VBOSS campaign spearhead David Gorrie said he was “disappointed” Labor hadn’t pledged funds ahead of the election, but said advocates would continue their efforts to bring the project to life.

“That leaves us in the position now to lobby the state government as hard as we can for a commitment in the upcoming State Budget,” he said.

“The bottom line is that drowning deaths around Australia are still at a 20-year high.

“More education, particularly initiatives like VBOSS that focus on the next generation, to spread the water safety knowledge throughout the community is going to be vital.”

Federation of Indian Associations Victoria (FIAV) was the latest group to jump on board the VBOSS push in October.

Its president Sury Soni said the centre could bridge a crucial knowledge gap around ocean safety in multicultural communities, who are at greater risk of drowning incidents due to potential cultural differences and language barriers.

Life Saving Victoria has also expressed its ongoing support for the project in correspondence with VBOSS advocates since the election, and indicated it remains a priority in its submissions ahead of the next budget.