Mandurah recognised for beach safety initiative

The City of Mandurah is a finalist in the Government Award WA category in the Western Australia Resilient Australia Awards.

Mandurah local Rick Gerring raised the need for beach emergency number signs, BEN, following the tragic death of his brother Ben, who he lost due to a shark attack at a Mandurah beach.

From Mr Gerring's campaigning the City of Mandurah along with other local governments helped to produce the BEN signs, designed to make beaches safer by giving emergency service exact location details in the time of an emergency. 

City of Mandurah is now being recognised for its contributions to the BEN project, being named a finalist in the Western Australia Resilient Australia Awards.

The signs are especially important for surf spots because they are often called by their colloquial name or nick name, and these names may not be familiar to emergency service staff. With the BEN number there is no confusion.

The City of Mandurah independently installed 81 BEN signs with more than 1000, funded by the state government, planned for the WA coast from Geraldton to Esperance.

Mandurah CEO Mark Newman said he was glad to see the signs being used. 

“I have been told that St John’s Ambulance has used BEN numbers in their response to emergencies which is what the signs are all about,” he said. 

“This is a simple and practical solution to an issue that can cost lives, and I am proud that Mandurah has been recognised for our contribution to this excellent initiative."

The McGowan Government has offered grants of up to $25,000 for eligible metropolitan councils, and up to $50,000 for eligible regional councils, to install the lifesaving signage. 

Since the announcement of the program in December 2017, 29 of the 32 eligible local government authorities have expressed an interest in the signage, and 26 are actively working with the WA Government.

The City of Kwinana is the first metropolitan council to install the lifesaving BEN signs through the McGowan Government’s grants scheme, while the Shire of Waroona is the first regional council with three BEN signs now in place at Preston Beach. 

Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said the addition of the emergency signage could mean the difference between life and death. 

"BEN signs will be vital for first responders to identify the quickest route to a precise location," he said. 

“I have spoken to emergency responders who have told me they have no doubt these signs will save lives. 

“In the event of an emergency, the public can call triple zero and quote the BEN number with confidence that emergency services will reach the destination as quickly as possible.”