A lifeguard funding spat that could leave popular western suburbs beaches unpatrolled this summer has prompted a co-ordinated pushback from councils who warn lives are at risk.

Hobsons Bay Council this week committed to fighting a request from Life Saving Victoria to pay an $88,101 contribution to lifeguard patrols at Altona and Williamstown beaches this summer – a service it says it has never paid for.

Paid lifeguards have previously been funded by Life Saving Victoria through grants received from the state government.

But Life Saving Victoria has warned that without the council’s financial support, it won’t provide a paid lifeguard service at all for Williamstown beach, and will reduce the number of days it patrols Altona beach.

Volunteers already patrol those beaches on weekends a

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