Central Coast Council is set to install a permanent life ring on the North Avoca Beach rock shelf in coming weeks, along with a spare life ring at North Avoca SLSC to be available if necessary.
Fifteen rescue ring tubes are also to be installed across The Entrance and North Entrance area including at various points along the Channel.
The move follows two tragedies in recent months.
On December 24 last year, a 15-year-old boy drowned after being washed off rocks at North Avoca.
Just a month earlier, an 11-year-old boy drowned after being swept out to sea by a strong current from The Entrance Channel.
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright, who worked with Council, community members and local organisations to have more water safety equipment installed at North Avoca, welcomed the move.
“I am also in discussions (with Council and those close to the family) about a memorial at North Avoca, one that is fitting for the family and the community,” he said.
Wright said although a new flotation device had been placed on the sand down from the surf club, more needed to be done to ensure a similar tragedy never happened again.
“Given this incident and the earlier incident at The Entrance in November, it is important that all levels of government, organisations and leaders of the community, think about how we can increase water safety across the region,” he said.
Wright said the installation of a life ring on the rock shelf was “fantastic news”.
“I want to thank all of those who advocated in favour of this, to help make it happen,” he said.
“Council will seek out the best location and also proceed in ordering the equipment.
“Over the coming weeks, I will continue to work with Council and the community to ensure that it is installed and see what more can be done.
“This equipment has the potential to save lives and that is what is most important when it comes to water safety.”
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