Life ring installed at North Avoca

True to its word, Central Coast Council has now installed a life ring as a permanent fixture on the rock shelf at North Avoca Beach.

A Council spokesperson said coastal hazard signage would also be installed at the entry to the rock platform, including directions on how to use the ring.

A spare life ring will be located in the North Avoca Surf Life Saving Club, to be available if necessary.

 Councillor Jared Wright, who pushed for the installation of the safety device in the wake of a tragic drowning at the site in December, welcomed the move.

A 15-year-old boy was swept off rocks at North Avoca on Christmas Eve, with his body recovered several days later.

He was with two other boys who managed to climb back to safety and raise the alarm with lifesavers.

“It is pleasing to see that the life ring at North Avoca has now been installed and I want to particularly thank the family and friends of Luca Bennett for their ongoing advocacy which helped make it happen,” Wright said.

“I will continue to work with them and the broader community on the next stage, which will be getting a memorial established and seeing what else we can do to improve water safety at North Avoca and across the region.”

Meanwhile, fellow Councillor Rachel Stanton is also pushing for increased safety measures along The Entrance Channel, the site of another tragedy when an 11-year-old boy drowned after being swept to sea from the channel last November.

“Already this Summer, we have seen a number of tragic events on our local waterways across the region with multiple people sadly passing away,” Stanton said on Facebook.

“That is why I am so passionate about improving water safety measures and providing extra equipment to help in the event of an emergency.

“I have been working closely with Council staff on this and I am pleased to announce that Central Coast Council will now be installing an additional 15 rescue ring tubes across The Entrance and North Entrance area, including at various points along the channel.

“There is still more to be done and I will continue to keep the community updated on this important issue.”