Beaches

The City of Stirling manages 7km of coastline, reserves and surf beaches, from Peasholm St Dog Beach to Watermans Bay. We are the only council in WA that has year-round lifeguard patrols. 

The City is responsible for facilitating and overseeing the staging of various activities, promotions, events, competitions and much more held along our beautiful coastline. Most activity on beaches and reserves requires approval by the City to ensure the safety of our community and that all activity complies with local laws and legislation.

Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) signage

The City of Stirling has introduced the Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) system to improve emergency response times at City beaches.

73 new signs have been installed along the City’s coastline. 

All BEN signs are reversible with a uniform red and green sign on the front and a beach closure alert on the back to allow for easy recognition with each BEN sign featuring a unique code based on an area prefix followed by a one to four-digit number. This code is linked to the coordinates for the sign's location. The official location name, the address, suburb and nearest intersection are also on each sign.

More information on the locations of BEN signs and beach safety information can be found on the SharkSmart website or download the SharkSmart WA app to find out BEN sign locations and near real-time notifications.

Visit the BEN Signage location map

Beach inspectors

A team of four beach inspectors patrol the City’s beaches 365 days a year. Additionally, 16 casual beach lifeguards are employed by the City to patrol the City's beaches during the peak summer period from Monday to Friday between October to March inclusive, and then seven days a week during April.

In the past 12 months, the City's beach inspectors and lifeguards have undertaken the following:

• 452 water rescues

• 7,208 preventative actions
• 370 first aid treatments.

The City of Stirling aims to provide a safe and attractive environment that people want to visit and enjoy. Through preventative life-saving measures, we strive to keep people from getting into difficulties in the surf. We also provide first aid to any beach visitors who may require assistance.

Partnership with surf life saving clubs

The City of Stirling has strong links with the Surf Life Saving Association, and has two volunteer surf life-saving clubs operating within the City. These surf clubs operate a voluntary rescue service on weekends and public holidays between the months of October and March each year.

Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club Inc.

Address The Esplanade, Scarborough
Telephone (08) 9341 1011

Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club Inc.

Address West Coast Drive, Trigg
Telephone (08) 9447 3556

Law enforcement

Local and state government laws relating to beaches and bathing have been introduced to improve the comfort level of all beach users. The City of Stirling is responsible for the general enforcement of the Local Government Property Local Law 2009.

Beach activities that require approval 

Activities that require approval are those that meet one or more of the following criteria;

• Event is open to the public
• Event has an attendance of over 500 people
• Event is licensed and has food or drink for sale or distribution
• Event impacts on the general public usage of beaches and coastal areas
• Event has potential noise and parking implications.

These activities can include concerts, promotions, product sampling, weddings, photography and filming, personal training and outdoor fitness classes and all activity within the Scarborough Amphitheatre.

For all coastal reserve and beach booking, a reserves and beaches booking form must be completed.

To view the City's beaches or to hire a beach or coastal reserve, visit the venues and facilities page