Lifeguards protest Sunshine Coast Council's lifeguard services changes

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council's controversial decision to contract out its lifeguard service to the Australian Lifeguard Service, a paid arm of Surf Lifesaving Queensland, is being reviewed by the Crime and Misconduct Commission Queensland (CMC).

The Council's decision, made at the end of August, has attracted criticism for an apparent lack of consultation and alleged conflicts of interest involving Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, Sunshine Coast Councillor Russell Green and Council Lifeguard Services Manager Scott Braby.

A damning report on the contracting out decision, being considered by the CMC and leaked to local newspaper The Sunshine Coast Daily, focuses on apparent conflicts of interest for Mayor Jamieson and Councillor Green in their voting to outsource the lifeguard service.

It also suggests that Braby is "actively involved with Surf Life Saving Australia" and is on its Lifeguard Advisory Committee.

Lifeguards, who asked the Queensland integrity body to examine the Council's decision highlighted the lack of consulation, with spokesperson Bruce Dunne stating "as far as natural justice goes, the lifeguards weren't consulted."

They also argue that Councillor Jamieson should also have declared a conflict because he had accepted election donations from Mal Pratt and Tim Ryan - Pratt is a life member and governor of the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club while Ryan is club President.

Sunshine Coast Councillor Tim Dwyer has stated that he has serious concerns about the Council report that recommended contracting out its lifeguard service.

He explains "it was a late report and I felt that the way everything was presented, it was as thought there was no other alternative.

"For four-years now, I've been talking about the standard of reporting in council and that they should be providing complete information and advice as per our corporate plan - and this is one instance where I don't believe the report was complete and the advice holistic."

According to the Sunshine Coast Daily, Mayor Jamieson and Councillor Green have both denied any wrongdoing and a council spokesman while Scott Braby was quoted as saying he had not been involved "in any decisions relating to the report".

Other councillors have questioned why their colleagues failed to declare a conflict of interest before the vote and why they were not provided with all the information before being asked to make a "rushed decision".

Councillor Dwyer told the Sunshine Coast Daily that if he had been in a similar position to Councillor Green, "I would have declared a conflict".

Councillor Green is listed as the head coach of the Surf Life Saving Australia Pool Rescue Team an unpaid role.

Lifeguards currently employed by Sunshine Coast Regional Council will be made redundant under the contract changes.

Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguards Association Secretary John Andrews says that the Sunshine Coast will be the first major region in Australia to contract out its lifeguard service, stating "it's not uncommon to find that some councils that can't run a full-time service will look at a contractor and deliver short-term programs.

"But this is a real first in terms of a major centre such as the Sunshine Coast with a year-round service deciding that their future lies in contracting out a service."

The Sunshine Coast Daily is continuing to report on developments in this story. See more at www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/

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