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Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson has today advised that the Council has agreed a five-year deal with the commercial arm of Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) for professional lifeguards continued to patrol the region’s popular beaches.

Announcing the renewed partnership, Mayor Jamieson advised “Sunshine Coast Council has signed off on a new  regional Lifeguard Service contract with Surf Life Saving Queensland.

“This is a substantial arrangement which will see council inject just under $5.5 million per year into lifeguard services to keep residents and visitors to our region safe at the beach.

“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.”

Professional lifeguards patrol major beach locations Monday to Friday and a number of other beaches on weekends, throughout the year.

These services are also supported by an extensive network of volunteer surf lifesavers who patrol on weekends and public holidays during the surf lifesaving season, which runs from the September school holidays to the first weekend in May, with extended hours through the busy Christmas period. 

Over the past 12 months, more than seven million people visited Sunshine Coast beaches and lifeguards performed 849 rescues and more than 8,000 first-aid actions.

The professional lifeguard service, operated by SLSQ on behalf of council, manages foreshore and ocean activities at 22 coastal locations year-round across the Sunshine Coast, including the Maroochy River mouth and Kings Beach Pool.

The new agreement enables SLSQ to employ 16 full-time lifeguards, 16 part-time lifeguards and maintain a casual pool of approximately 50 lifeguards during peak season.

It provides for approximately 93,000 lifeguard patrol hours per year across 22 Sunshine Coast beaches from Coolum North to Golden Beach, as well as equipment and vehicle costs.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Sunshine Coast Regional Operations Manager Aaron Purchase said council’s continued support for lifeguard services across the Sunshine Coast would help to ensure more lives were saved on local beaches.

Purchase noted “Surf Live Saving Queensland provides professional lifeguard services for 17 other Queensland councils and we’re very proud to continue our strong and successful partnership with Sunshine Coast Council.

“We equip, develop, empower and support our staff to deliver vital aquatic rescue and safety services across Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast, with the ultimate goal of zero preventable deaths in Queensland public waters.

“Our lifeguard services on the Sunshine Coast are bolstered by the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service and Rescue Drone Program, roving jet ski patrols, mobile and fixed emergency response beacons, coastal surveillance cameras, Lifesaving Incident Management State Operational Console and 24 hours response call out teams.

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

The Council is also working with local Surf Life Saving Clubs and the Compass Institute to make Sunshine Coast beaches more accessible and inclusive, which sees beach matting, wheelchairs and life jackets available to use at no charge at beaches across the region.

Image credit: Sunshine Coast Council.

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