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FEBRUARY 3, 2021 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Bid to keep outdoor dining
A small group gathered at the beach during the search was visibly distressed. (Joe Mastroianni)
Body found By Goya Dmytryshchak The body of a missing snorkeller was found off Altona Beach on Monday, renewing calls for water safety. The 20-year-old Ashwood woman had been in the water with family and friends when she went missing on Saturday morning, police said. Family members raised the alarm about 11.15am. Victoria Police and Life Saving Victoria helicopters had scoured the water over Altona and Seaholme, joined by Water Police, specialist divers from the Search and Rescue Squad and others. LSV assisted with its lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, a drone, two jet skis and two rescue boats from Altona Lifesaving Club.
On Monday morning, search and rescue crews broadened their search. The Search and Rescue Squad found a woman’s body in waters off Altona pier about 10.30am. A small group gathered at the beach was visibly distressed. The water surrounding Altona and Seaholme is popular for swimmers, boaters, fishers and divers. The tragedy comes as Victoria marked its worst period for drownings with 42 lives lost since July last year. LSV state agency commander Kane Treloar said the woman had last been seen about 100 metres from shore and 400 metres outside the flagged zone at Altona Beach. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends … during what is no doubt an extremely distressing time,” he said. “After a horror year in Victorian waters, in
which we’ve already seen 42 confirmed fatal drownings since 1 July, we’re urging people to make safety their number one priority around water. “If you’re heading to the coastline or waterways, make sure you’re checking the weather conditions and planning before you go. “This means making sure you’re heading to patrolled locations at patrolled times and swimming between the red and yellow flags.” Mr Treloar said divers and snorkellers should ensure they always headed out, and stayed, with a mate. “Conditions can change in an instant, which is why it’s so important to always stay in control in the water.” Hobsons Bay Inspector Tim O’Connor said police would await information from the coroner’s court in relation to the cause of death.
About 400 people have so far given their view on whether outdoor dining in Hobsons Bay should be kept beyond March, with Altona traders launching a campaign for it to stay. Hobsons Bay council is continuing to seek feedback from community members, visitors and traders about their experiences of outdoor trading and whether it’s something they would like to happen again. It was the Altona Village Traders Association that initially led the call for road closures and outdoor dining to keep restaurants and bars alive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Village Traders’ representative Ilch Mickovski said many businesses feared the end of the initiative, slated for March 31, which had activated strips like Pier Street. “The campaign for us at the moment is to keep this activation alive forever,” he said. “It’s not a short-term decision that we’re looking at – we’re looking at long term because COVID’s not done and dusted, there’s still COVID in the background. “I think what we’ve seen is, people have actually enjoyed this space – it hasn’t been just traders, it’s been the community – and every person we speak to, we get that feedback. “We’re developing a campaign from the trader associations to speak to community members, speak to traders, and make it as difficult as possible to pull outdoor dining or outdoor activation out of Hobsons Bay.” Hobsons Bay mayor Jonathon Marsden said the council wanted feedback. “Over summer, council worked closely with local businesses to reopen safely and extend outdoor trading areas,” he said. “We welcome feedback from all Hobsons Bay traders, visitors and community members on the outdoors program, to help us decide what trading might look like beyond 31 March, 2021.” Give your feedback at www. hobsonsbaybusiness.com.au/ outdoorsfeedback
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