Geelong weather: Urgent water safety warnings during heatwave

Beachgoers are being urged to avoid swimming at Eastern Beach amid water quality concerns.

Seven people had to be rescued from waters in Geelong and the Surf Coast on Tuesday. Picture: Mark Wilson

Swimmers have been urged to avoid Eastern Beach after its water was deemed to be of ‘poor’ quality.

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) issued a water quality alert at 12pm on Thursday stating testing confirmed “unacceptable water quality” at the Eastern Beach, St Leonards, Mentone and Sorrento Beach. The beaches have been rated as having ‘poor’ water quality on the EPAs website.

The City of Greater Geelong posted the alert to its social media page.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid swimming in this area until further notice by EPA Victoria,” the post read.

“We thank you for your co-operation.”

The EPA said in a flood and beach water quality update statement it was advised that people not swim in the Barwon River at Geelong due to water quality.

The statement said activities like kayaking, rowing or boating were okay but “people should not have contact with the water for at least 48 hours after rainfall”.

An EPA spokesman said the organisation was forecasting poor conditions into Friday.

He said beachgoers should “use some common sense” in determining if the water was safe.

“If it’s discoloured, if it’s odorous, if it’s within 48 hours of adverse weather, avoid it,” the spokesman said.

He said people who go into water found to be of poor quality, they may get a skin rash or a bout of gastro.

It comes as residents and visitors to Geelong and the Surf Coast should expect “pleasant days” over the New Year’s holiday.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Matthew Thomas said easterly winds combined with increased humidity would make for some enjoyable days in the region over the weekend and into the new year.

He said residents could expect showers in Geelong on Friday, with isolated showers predicted for the Surf Coast and Cape Otway.

“Around Geelong, it’s most likely that conditions will be pretty good through the coming days,” Mr Thomas said.

“We’re expecting a sunny day Friday, getting up to 26C.

“Humidity’s going to build after that … (so) we’re going to see some warming days through Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“It’ll be partly cloudy about Geelong through Saturday and Sunday, with a slight 20 per cent chance of shower.”

Mr Thomas said the mercury was expected to hit 27C on Saturday, 34C on Sunday and 31C on Monday.

He said the region would experience some warm nights, with 15C expected overnight Saturday, 16C overnight Sunday, and 17C overnight Monday.

“Monday’s going to be a significant day with a cold change to push through,” he said.

“All in all, over the coming days, Geelong’s going to have … some pleasant days in the lead up to the new year.”

A Life Saving Victoria spokeswoman confirmed there was one rescue within the Geelong, Surf Coast and Otway regions on Thursday.

Cool change hits after summer scorcher

A cool change has swept region after Geelong residents sweltered through some of the hottest temperatures of the year.

The mercury reached a top of 37C at 5.30pm at Geelong Racecourse on Tuesday, and hovered in the high 30s for most of the night.

It was still 31C at 10.30pm, before the temperature started to steadily decline from about 3am.

By 8.30am on Wednesday it was 23C at Geelong Racecourse, with a smattering of showers hitting the region.

The Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures were expected to remain below 30 degrees celsius until Sunday, with partly cloudy conditions set to continue throughout the week.

“The cool change will sweep over Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales throughout Wednesday morning and afternoon. It is expected to reach Melbourne around midday,” a spokeswoman said.

“Showers will accompany the cold front, and isolated thunderstorms are possible”.

Seven rescued from Geelong waters as heat grips region

Seven people had to be rescued from waters in the Geelong and Surf Coast area on Tuesday, figures show.

A Life Saving Victoria spokeswoman said tentative figures from 3pm showed seven rescues had to be done.

The spokeswoman said these were preliminary reports, with final figures confirmed at day’s end.

Three rescues were performed by Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club alone, with the organisation posting an update on its social media.

In a post to the club’s Facebook page, it said three rescues were performed, including for two people who were swept 200m out at the Point Lonsdale lighthouse.

“Lifesavers were called to the lighthouse at 2.40pm where our members executed a board rescue returning two patients to shore in good condition,” the club said in the post.

“Support quickly arrived from the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, the VicPol Air Wing and the Geelong area RWC (jet ski) lifeguards.

Big summer at Fishermans Beach, Torquay. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“We are grateful to the members of the public and our off-duty lifesavers who also rendered assistance.”

The club said the back beach was temporarily closed while patrol prioritised the response.

“It is a timely reminder to always swim between the red and yellow flags,” the club said.

An infant and teenager were rescued from waters at Ocean Grove on Boxing Day amid a spate of drownings and rescues across Victorian beaches.

Authorities have issued an urgent safety warning as thousands of people are expected to head to the region’s beaches amid a predicted heatwave.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave warning for Geelong and the Surf Coast, with the mercury set to reach 37C on Tuesday.

Lifeguards rescued 11 people from beaches across Geelong and the Surf Coast on Monday, with a total of 42 rescues conducted across the state.

They included a 19-year-old and an infant who were taken to hospital after being rescued from the water at Ocean Grove just before 5pm on Monday.

Three men were pulled from the water at Cumberland River beach near Lorne on Christmas Day after they became caught in dangerous condition.

A 19-year-old man from St Albans died on the shore.

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) confirmed there were 48 water rescues since Christmas Day, with only eight occurring between the red and yellow flags.

Locals flocked to Torquay main beach on Boxing Day to cool off from the hot conditions. Picture: Mark Wilson

LSV state agency commander Kane Treloar said it was important for people to swim at patrolled beaches.

“For those planning to cool off by Victorian waterways during this heatwave event, I urge you to head to a patrolled beach and swim between the red and yellow flags,” he said.

Authorities warned V/Line passengers to expect delays on the Geelong line on Tuesday with trains running at slower speeds than normal due to hot conditions.

As this is the state’s first run of extreme heat this season, parents have been warned to never leave their kids in hot cars as the temperature inside a parked car can be 30 to 30 degrees hotter than outside.

Temperatures are expected to stay in the mid-20s overnight into Wednesday before southerly winds bring a cool change on Wednesday evening before it heats up back again on Friday and into the weekend.

Originally published as Geelong weather: Urgent water safety warnings during heatwave