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Ballina Shire Council,  located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, has recently installed new Beach Safety equipment to improve the safety and first aid infrastructure available along the shire’s beaches.

The equipment includes Critical Response Kits and Rescue Tubes installed at numerous locations from North Wall, East Ballina to Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head.

This is in addition to the emergency markers, angel rings and an emergency response beacon already installed along Ballina Shire’s coastline.

Ballina Shire Council’s Manager of Open Spaces, Cheyne Willebrands advised “each of the Critical Response First Aid Kits includes a trauma bleed kit, CAT tourniquet, defibrillator, and a CPR kit inside a portable rescue box. The Beach Rescue Tubes include a foam surf rescue device, rope and lanyard inside a rescue box.”

This equipment has been provided for community members to access in the case of an emergency and aims to improve patient outcomes. 

Willebrands explained that the beach safety equipment now available is first class and while beach visitors can now access critical medical and rescue infrastructure in emergency situations, “it does not diminish the crucial importance of adhering to the fundamental message of swimming between the flags”.

This initiative has been a joint effort and made possible with the donation of defibrillators from the Matthew Hardy Memorial Project and with the assistance of NSW Department of Primary Industries and Surf Live Saving NSW.

Ballina Shire Council Mayor Sharon Cadwallader added “our shire’s coastline is dotted with pristine beaches, which are enjoyed year-round by visitors and locals. Beach users can now surf, swim and play with peace of mind knowing safety and first aid equipment is available in key locations.”

The Critical Response Kits and Rescue Tube boxes feature QR codes, enabling the community to easily report incidents, damage or missing items to Council. By fostering community awareness and ownership, Council aims for these safety items to be respected and used in emergency situations only.

Further information can be found on Council’s website at www.ballina.nsw.gov.au/beach-rescue-devices 

Image. Credit: Ballina Shire Council

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