Eurobodalla Shire chooses commercial life saving services for its beaches

Eurobodalla Shire Council on the NSW south coast has this week awarded a three-year contract for life guarding services and beach patrols to Lifeguarding Services Australia.

The commercial operator, which usually provides 'event-based' rescue services for occasions such as triathlons, ocean swims and carnivals, was chosen in preference to the Council's long time provider - Australian Lifeguard Services, the commercial branch of Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW).

SLSNSW - which had held the contract to provide paid lifeguards to patrol the beaches of the Eurobodalla shire for 18 years - has been critical of the loss of its contract and income stream suggesting that it may have an impact on volunteer services on the South Coast.

It has also highlighted a continuing rivalry between SLSNSW and the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA), which provides the training for Lifeguarding Services Australia.

Eurobodalla Shire Council General Manager Paul Anderson told The Canberra Times that confirmed Lifeguarding Services Australia's winning tender had been lower that of SLSNSW.

Anderson explained that while cost had been a factor in the Council's decision other issues had been considered, stating "we went through a process making sure their accreditation was equivalent, if not exactly the same."

Eurobodalla Shire stopped funding its paid life guard service last year as part of cutbacks when it was unsuccessful in securing a rate variation from the NSW Government. However, after a public outcry, the Council secured sponsors to continue the service.

Lifeguarding Services Australia Chief Executive Stan Wall explained that while he had no idea what the rival bid for the tender was, he felt that cost may have been a factor in his company winning the contract for patrolling the Shire's seven beaches.

The contact is for six weeks over summer, with about 22 paid life guards patrolling Monday to Friday at seven locations; Surf Beach, Malua Bay, Broulee, Moruya, Tuross, Dalmeny and Narooma. The paid life guards also patrol on the weekends at Dalmeny, Tuross and Surf Beach where there are no surf clubs.

Volunteer life guards, administered by SLSNSW, patrol on weekends and public holidays from the first weekend in November.

Surf Life Saving NSW Operations Manager Matt Rodwell said the Australian Lifeguard Service bid was $180,000 but it believed the tender documents were too broad.

Rodwell told The Canberra Times that it was "beyond his comprehension" how a company could start up the service for less than that amount.

Wall told Australasian Leisure Management that he "looks forward to providing these professional services and working side by side with the local volunteer Surf Lifesaving Clubs.

"These Surf Clubs provide the community with a vital service, both as a sport, and as a community service, and are the breeding ground for our future professional lifeguards."

"We can't wait to start the recruitment drive and look forward to providing the best possible service to the local community."

As part of the training and professional development of Lifeguarding Services Australia's future staff, Wall added that "lifeguard instructors from APOLA will provide their services to ensure that our staff are ready for the season start throughout Eurobodalla Shire on the 21st December 2011."

Wall concluded that he wanted existing life guards to apply for positions with Lifeguarding Services Australia.

For information contact Stan Wall on Email: stan.wall@lifeguarding.com.au, www.lifeguarding.com.au

1st February 2010 - LIFEGUARDS WRAP UP SUMMER HOLIDAY SEASON 

21st January 2010 - PROFESSIONAL LIFEGUARDS REJECT ‘FLAWED’ SLSA RIP CAMPAIGN