In the heart of Melbourne, the City of Port Phillip Council convened on a chilly Wednesday, 16th August 2023, to discuss a matter that has been making waves—quite literally—in the community. The subject of the day was the feasibility of a Port Phillip Swimming Trail. The meeting was a blend of bureaucratic procedure and impassioned pleas, all set against the backdrop of Australia's rich aquatic culture.
Council Officers presented the four options to Councillors on the findings of a preliminary investigation. The motion for this investigation was initially proposed by Councillor Marcus Pearl on 4th April 2023. The investigation considered various factors such as need, safety, partnerships with other agencies, wayfinding approaches, consultation, and indicative costs.
Four options were laid out for consideration: using existing navigational markers, installing new markers in swimming-only zones, supporting current open water swimming activities, and making no changes. Each option came with its own set of financial and logistical implications. For instance, installing new markers would cost around $700,000 plus project management costs, while supporting current activities would require a more modest $40,000.
The Port Melbourne Icebergs, a local open-water swimming group, were vocal about their preferences. They swim 500m in winter and up to 1km or more during summer, often using smartwatches to track their activities. While they acknowledged that a swimming trail could be helpful, they didn't see it as a necessity. They also expressed that motivational sayings on markers would not influence their choice to swim.
Elwood Life Saving Club had previously advocated for swimming markers to be installed within swimming-only zones. They, along with other stakeholders like Parks Victoria and Victoria Police, supported swimming in the bay as a form of recreation and physical activity.
In the end, the council recommended progressing with the third option: supporting current open water swimming activities. This option builds on the current established groups who have experienced and engaged participants. It also provides an opportunity to provide additional support for 12 months to these groups and to people in the community who wish to experience open water swimming.
Councillors voted to amend the motion to defer the decision on the Bay Trail until next year because the cost of $700,000 was unfunded in the current budget. The City of Port Phillip Council meeting was more than just a bureaucratic exercise; it was a reflection of a community's relationship with its natural resources and recreational spaces. And as the waves continue to lap against the shores of Port Phillip, the debate around how best to enjoy them rages on.
