They also feature the word 'danger' written prominently across the top, and include a numerical 'death count' in the centre.

The signs are modelled on those used at rock platforms in the Randwick local government area. Randwick city was the state's first council to make life jackets mandatory for rock fishers.

Read more: Wollongong council to investigate safety at Port Kembla's Hill 60 in wake of deaths

Following the deaths of five fishermen in three weeks at Hill 60 at Port Kembla this year, Wollongong City Council recently voted to seek a report on how Randwick city had managed before deciding how to proceed with its own safety scheme.

As part of a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of rock fishing, Wollongong council has installed two new danger signs at Hill 60.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said council hoped these signs would make people think about the conditions and their safety before they head to the rock platform.

"We hope that these new signs will encourage people to think twice about the sea conditions, their skills and whether to wear a life jacket before they reach the platform," he said.

"The signage is just one of the many things we've put in place... To try and mitigate the danger out there."

In February, Wollongong City Council pledged to support the wearing of life jackets at Hill 60.

"The signage says that council is basically saying, 'you should wear a life jacket'," Cr Bradbery said.

"We in that motion endorsed the wearing of life jackets... But as for the compulsion, it's not a matter of saying compulsory or endorsing or anything, it's a matter of who's going to enforce it.

"That was the issue that council was more concerned about. We've done our bit by putting up the signage, and trying to get people to think twice about going out there without life jackets and avoiding going out there under certain conditions.

"But what we've stood our ground on at this stage is that we're not going to be out there enforcing the requirement - we just don't have the resources. We've endorsed the principle of wearing life jackets, but the issue is still who's going to enforce compulsory wearing of life jackets."

The signs' safety message that "people have died fishing here. Always wear a life jacket and if in doubt do not fish" is in six languages; English, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Arabic.

Symbols are also used with words to indicate high surf large breaking waves, incoming tides, strong currents and that people should always wear a life jacket.

Council staff will also engage with the state government and relevant agencies about ways to improve safety.

Council's decision to embark on a review rather than take action on life jackets for rock fishers was not good enough, according to Wollongong MP Paul Scully, who told the Mercury in February that council was "dragging its feet".

"I am advised the Lord Mayor is wrong when he asserts that all responsibility would fall to council if Hill 60 were designated as an area requiring life jackets to be worn. It would remain a shared responsibility," Mr Scully said at the time.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.