Sunshine Coast Council to spend $5.7 million on lifeguard services this financial year

With volunteer lifesavers set to return to beaches for the 2022/23 volunteer patrol season of today (Saturday 17th September), Sunshine Coast Council has advised that it will inject $5.7 million into lifeguard services this financial year.

With the Council’s professional lifeguarding services contracted out to the commercial arm of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) at major beaches throughout the year (at Kings Beach, Dicky Beach, Mooloolaba Main and Spit, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore, Twin Waters, Mudjimba, Discovery Beach and Coolum), the volunteer patrols are returning for the start of the September school holidays.

Advising that lifeguards patrol the major beach locations Monday to Friday and a number of other beaches on weekends, Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski stated “tThe Lifeguard Service operated by Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) on behalf of council, manages foreshore and aquatic activities for the enjoyment and protection of Sunshine Coast residents and visitors

“In addition, SLSQ operates weekend volunteer lifesaving patrols during the surf lifesaving season from the September school holidays to the first weekend in May, with extended hours through the busy Christmas period.”

Councillor Baberowski went on to say “in January alone more than 1.4 million people visited Sunshine Coast beaches, and lifeguards performed 285 rescues and 3029 first-aid actions.

“Our residents and visitors are kept safe at the beach because of our lifeguards and lifesavers.

“Our world-renowned beaches are one of the most popular drawcards in our region, which reinforces why it is so important for council to support the services provided by our lifeguards, so everyone can enjoy a safe beach experience.

“We have more than 21 locations across our Sunshine Coast patrolled by highly skilled lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers throughout the season, (from) September to May.

“The message is simple - play it safe and swim between the red and yellow flags every time you go to the beach.”

Surf Life Saving Queensland Sunshine Coast Regional Operations Manager Aaron Purchase urged people to always swim at patrolled beaches and check the beach conditions before going for a swim.

Purchase added “our volunteer surf lifesavers and professional lifeguards have had a couple of very challenging seasons with unpredictable weather events and an increase in domestic visitors to Queensland beaches.

“We’ve seen a significant number of beachgoers getting into difficulty in the surf and, alarmingly, the vast majority of rescues and drownings are occurring outside flagged areas or patrol hours.

“We’re expecting our beaches to be absolutely packed again this summer, so please help yourself and us by swimming only between the red and yellow flags and following the advice of lifesavers and lifeguards.”