2 October 2024

 

COUNCIL'S Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon said the red and yellow flags signify lifeguards and lifesavers returning to patrol our beaches to keep our community safe when enjoying our beautiful coastline.

 

“Council's lifeguards and Surf Life Saving volunteers provide search and rescue services for our coastal beaches, as well as emergency medical care when required,” Mr Cantillon said.

 

“They also play an important role in educating swimmers and visitors on beach and water safety.

 

“This is a timely reminder to the community that while we have lifeguards and lifesavers on patrol, it is important to stay up to date with safety messaging so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable season.”

 

Key safety tips include:

 

• Take the time and drive five more minutes to a patrolled beach and swim in between the flags

 

• If you get into difficulty, stay calm, raise your arm and yell for assistance

 

• Never run or dive into the water, as the depth can change quickly

 

• Children should always be supervised by an adult at all aquatic locations

 

• If you are unsure of the conditions, ask a lifeguard or lifesaver

 

• Always listen to the lifeguards and lifesavers

 

• Avoid swimming for at least one day after heavy rain to decrease exposure to stormwater pollution

 

• Be aware of obvious signs of pollution such as litter, odours and surface scum following heavy rain.

 

• If you’re going rock fishing, be sure to plan ahead - wear appropriate safety equipment, let others know where you are going and carry a charged phone

 

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib also joined life savers over the weekend in Sydney to mark the commencement of the patrol season, which runs to 27 April 2025 and will see more than 21,000 active Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) volunteers out in force on the state’s beaches.

 

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “As the weather warms up and patrol season kicks in, it’s a timely reminder to people to always swim between the flags and follow the advice of Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers and professionals.

 

“Our volunteer lifesavers do an incredible job, and people need to do their bit by swimming in patrolled areas during patrol hours – no matter how strong a swimmer you consider yourself to be.

 

“The NSW Government is proud to invest in SLSNSW volunteers, with new jet skis, rescue vehicles, and Emergency Response Beacons being rolled out across the state.

 

“Awareness is key, and through expanded community programs and a new national water safety campaign, we’re reaching at-risk groups with life-saving knowledge that will make a real difference this summer.”

 

Last patrol season, volunteers and lifeguards performed more than 4,400 rescues and about 1.1 million preventative actions, helping to keep beachgoers safe over the popular warmer months.

 

The rescue efforts of surf lifesaving volunteers will be bolstered this season with new equipment and vessels, as part of the NSW Government’s record $72 million investment over four years in SLSNSW.

 

Several assets and initiatives are set to be delivered across NSW this patrol season, including a new centralised repository for coastal lifesaving and lifeguard data. The Coastal Safety Data Hub will help water safety stakeholders including SLSNSW, as well as state and local governments, better understand when services should be delivered and where rescue assets are located to help reduce response times to incidents along the NSW coastline.

 

Other assets and initiatives being rolled out this season include:

 

• 14 new jet skis across the state to help conduct lifesaving operations. Nearly 500 rescues in 2023/24 were made using jet skis.

 

• 11 upgraded Rescue Operations vehicles fitted out with rescue equipment, allowing duty officers to respond to remote incidents along the NSW coastline.

 

• Eight new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) installed at higher risk locations, bringing the state’s total to 40. ERBs connect callers to SLSNSW’s State Operations Centre to enable the rapid deployment of lifesaving and emergency services to a potential rescue site.

 

• The installation and retrofitting of rescue tube devices to new and existing ERBs, for use by first responders or members of the public attempting a rescue.

 

• The development of the Coastal Safety Data Hub - a new portal for key stakeholders to share coastal insights and water safety data.

 

• A new water safety campaign supported by the NSW Government to address the high coastal drowning toll, reaching at-risk audiences with critical safety messaging.

 

These investments will help ensure volunteer lifesavers and rescue organisations have the tools they need to keep people on our beaches safe.

 

Surf Life Saving NSW President Peter Agnew AM said, “We’re excited to be back on NSW beaches for another patrol season. We look forward to making the most of new rescue equipment which will help us protect lives along our coastline this summer.

 

“It’s pleasing to see the NSW Government acknowledges the value of the contribution made by our skilled and highly trained volunteer lifesavers.”

 

Last year, there were 61 coastal drownings*, all of which occurred at unpatrolled locations or outside of patrol hours. SLSNSW responded to 805 emergency callouts, deploying lifesaving assets such as rescue boats, jet skis, drones, and helicopters.

 

During this patrol season will also see a new blue uniform worn by Council beach lifeguards, introduced to align with other Council lifeguard services across New South Wales.

 

During the busy Christmas holiday period, from 21 December 2024 to 31 January 2025, the 15 beach locations and The Grant McBride Baths will be patrolled for an extra an hour (9am-6pm).

 

Council also has a suite of serviced beach wheelchairs available for free hire, along with beach matting installed at several beaches across the Coast.

 

For more information and find your nearest patrolled beach location, search Central Coast ’beaches’ here.

Name (First & Last):

Email:

Submitting Form...

The server encountered an error.

Subscription received.

SUBSCRIBE