Lakes Entrance residents and holiday-makers are being urged to take extra care around the water this summer, as a new report from Life Saving Victoria (LSV) reveals a worrying rise in drowning incidents across the state — including during months traditionally considered safe.
The 2024–25 Drowning Report, released last week, shows 52 fatal and 123 non-fatal drowning incidents were recorded across Victoria last financial year, both above the 10-year average.
Of particular concern for coastal communities like Lakes Entrance, the data highlights a sharp rise in drownings across the cooler months, with 14 deaths between March and May — the highest autumn toll in 12 years and 49 per cent above the long-term average. This troubling pattern has continued into spring this year, with 12 drowning deaths recorded between September and November, the highest number since 2001.
LSV says this trend reflects longer, hotter summers stretching well into autumn, resulting in more people visiting beaches, lakes and rivers outside traditional peak season.
With Lakes Entrance attracting thousands of visitors to its surf beaches, swimming areas, jetties and inland waterways throughout the Christmas–New Year period, lifesavers
are urging both locals and tourists to stay vigilant.
Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance beach patrols are currently underway on weekend before ramping up every day from Boxing Day through to Australia Day, meanwhile the club’s annual Bronze Camp was held week, finishing on Saturday, December 13.
The report also found:
– Summer remains the deadliest season, with 23 drowning deaths over the past year.
– Young adults aged 15 to 24 recorded drowning deaths 27 per cent above the decade average.
– People aged 65 and over had the highest drowning rate (1.03 deaths per 100,000 people).
– More than one-third (37 per cent) of drowning fatalities over the past decade involved people from multicultural backgrounds — a figure likely underestimated due to incomplete data.
Life Saving Victoria’s manager of research and evaluation, Dr Hannah Graefe, said reducing drowning incidents requires a collective response — particularly in high-traffic coastal areas such as Lakes Entrance.
“Fifty-two people lost their lives to drowning in the 2024–25 financial year, and a further 123 experienced a non-fatal drowning that can have lifelong impacts,” Dr Graefe said.
“These figures are above the 10-year average and point to an increasingly concerning upward trend. As hotter weather extends further into autumn, more people are visiting waterways outside the traditional patrol season. We must work together as a community to bring these numbers down.”
The annual Drowning Report helps LSV and local partners — including volunteer lifesaving clubs along the Gippsland Coast — identify risks and shape programs aimed at reducing drowning incidents.
LSV is urging the Lakes Entrance community and summer visitors to:
– Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches.
– Avoid swimming alone or after drinking alcohol.
– Supervise children closely at all times.
– Wear lifejackets when boating or fishing in the Lakes system.
– Learn basic water safety, especially for those new to the area or to Australia.
With temperatures expected to climb again this summer, lifesavers say staying alert could save lives.
