SMOKE ON THE WATER
Beaches closed as bushfire haze chokes Geelong for second straight day.
GEELONG wheezed through another hazy summer day yesterday as air quality remained very poor, with forecasts predicting smoky conditions could linger today.
Smoke haze is expected in the region again this morning and forecast to clear during the afternoon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Environment Protection Authority has forecast very poor to hazardous air quality in Geelong today, amid a top of 33C with showers and a possible thunderstorm.
According to the World Air Quality Index, Geelong briefly had the worst air quality in Australia at 9pm on Monday, sitting at an AQI rating of 475.
Bushfire smoke has drifted from the Gippsland region, compromising the region’s air quality on many occasions over the past two weeks.
Wye River, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Torquay and Barwon Heads beaches were shut yesterday.
The haze also forced the closure of Geelong council pools, including some indoors, around Geelong.
City of Greater Geelong director community life Robyn Stevens said the Kardinia and Lara aquatic centres, Splashdown and Waterworld leisure centres and Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre all closed early on Monday, because of poor air quality.
The indoor facilities were closed as a precaution as air from outside is circulated and filtered at the centres. Kardinia Aquatic Centre was also closed yesterday.
Ms Stevens said closures were enforced to maintain the safety of lifeguards, who were required to spend “significant periods of time outside”.
Eastern Beach was also affected by the smoke that cloaked Geelong.
“Due to very poor air quality and visibility, lifeguards are not patrolling the Eastern Beach area,” she said.
“We advise against swimming at Eastern Beach and in the children’s pool until air quality improves and lifeguard patrols resume.”
She said the council would provides updates on changes to its services at geelongaustralia.com.au.