Security guards replace lifeguards at South Australian swimming lake

Wattle Range Council in South Australia has, for the second year, replaced lifeguards with security guards at the Millicent Swimming Lake.

Wattle Range Council Director of Engineering Services Peter Halton told the ABC that the security guards were employed to prevent unruly behaviour.

Halton said that the Council was currently dealing with public health issues at the lake, with numerous incidents of late-night revellers bringing in alcohol to the site and leaving behind broken glass, both in the water and around the lake.

There have been no reports of injuries but Halton said Council is tired of cleaning up after a small minority, stating "that behaviour can't be tolerated and it has been reported to police.

"Council doesn't want to have to be forced to close the facility at night."

The security guards, who are not trained in first aid, are on duty when the temperature rises above 32 degrees.

Halton said Council felt it was more important to provide security for the site and give ownership to patrons using the facility for self-supervision, adding "it's a massive body of water (and) it would be unfair for a lifeguard to monitor that quantity of water - you would need multiple lifeguards."

Earlier this month, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia conducted a safety assessment at the pool, which Halton said council was using to reassess the facility.

Halton said Council reviewed the facility extensively each year and had examined other options, such as a swim safe-zone, but had discarded them.