Surf Life Saving Queensland receives funding boost for surf safety

December 4, 2019

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is set to receive an extra $150,000 in Queensland Government funding for equipment and delivery of training and awareness programs.

The extra funding is on top of the three-year $17 million funding package already provided by the Quennsland Government to the organisation to keep Queenslanders safe.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk advised “with the start of summer and the school holidays just around the corner, we can’t thank Surf Life Saving Queensland and its volunteers enough for patrolling our beaches.

“For more than a century, surf lifesavers have played a vital role in our state, protecting millions of beachgoers and saving thousands of lives.

“We should never take for granted that we and our visiting tourists enjoy our beaches under the eye of trained volunteers who give their time to help others.”

SLSQ Chief Executive Dave Whimpey noted that volunteer surf lifesavers and professional lifeguards combined to watch over and protect more than 21 million beachgoers last year.

“The lives of 3,894 beachgoers were saved through in-water rescues in 2018/19 alone, representing a 35% increase compared to the previous year.

“Our lifesavers and lifeguards also treated 65,133 injured people through first aid treatments, up 85%.

“This week’s warm weather and that forecast over the coming months will no doubt result in big crowds flocking to our beaches. We’re extremely grateful to the Palaszczuk Government for this vital funding boost ahead of what is going to be a busy summer.”

Other Queensland Government funded surf safety initiatives include:

$102,000 to fund the SLSQ program On The Same Wave, which offers critical surf safety skills and awareness in 25+ languages for international migrants, tourists, refugees and other people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. SLSQ has directly engaged with 299,872 multicultural beachgoers over the past five years.
In partnership with Westpac, 12 Lifesaver Rescue Drones have been introduced from Cairns to North Stradbroke Island to monitor conditions and swimmers.

SLSQ is urging all beachgoers to remember their advice:

Always swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags
Never swim at night or after designated patrol hours
Surf, swim, or paddle with a buddy and keep a close eye on each other
Don’t drink and swim
Actively supervise children in and around the water
Obtain regular medical check-ups if you are a beachgoer aged 50+

SLSQ is one of the state’s largest volunteer-based community service organisations.

3rd December 2019 - Prime Minister Morrison backs beach safety at start of summer

10th October 2019 - New Surf Life Saving Club Patrol Tower opens at Seacliff

21st August 2019 - Former Surf Life Saving NSW executive charged over $2.7 million fraud

7th July 2019 - Surf Life Saving NSW among charities to be promoted by City of Sydney

29th April 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia shares beach safety challenges

11th February 2019 - Politicians pledge funds but are they serious about water safety?

27th February 2019 - BP donates more than $200,000 to Surf Life Saving NZ

7th February 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia receives funding for its Seniors fitness program

22nd December 2018 - Surf Life Saving NSW jet ski fleet boosted to increase beach safety for swimmers

8th December 2018 - Surf Life Saving New Zealand partners to launch summer water safety campaign

30th January 2017 - Surf Life Saving Victoria marks 70 years

5th January 2017 - Surf Life Saving New Zealand welcomes zero drownings at patrolled beaches

1st July 2016 - New City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club opened by Western Australian Premier

2nd March 2016 - Surf Life Saving South Australia launches training academy to boost standards

7th January 2016 - Surf Life Saving Australia asks beachgoers to play a role in safety

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