Central Coast Council has given $116,000 to Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) and individual sponsorships of $6,500 to each of the 15 Surf Life Saving Clubs on the Coast.
The $213,500 financial contribution was the second instalment of the two-year sponsorship and will be used to purchase vital rescue equipment and support the promotion of important aquatic safety messaging across the region this Summer season.
Council’s Unit Manager Leisure Beach Safety and Community Facilities, Phil Cantillon, said Council and SLSCC work tirelessly to make people feel safe on our beaches.
“This funding will continue to keep safety measures in place,” he said.
“Last year SLSCC and its 15 Surf Clubs delivered over 93,373 patrolling hours, completed 614 rescues and responded to over 46 support operational rescues and callouts and delivered seven community rip demonstrations – a tremendous effort by all involved.”
SLSCC Acting Chief Executive Officer Matt Slattery thanked Council for its ongoing support and continued recognition of the services provided by SLSCC.
“On behalf of Surf Life Saving Central Coast, the 15 clubs and all our members, I would like to thank Central Coast Council for their support; this funding going directly into lifesaving operations and keeping our beaches safe,” he said.
“We have a unique partnership between the Council staff and our volunteer lifesavers which is the envy of other areas of the state (with) both organisations coming together to ensure we can deliver the end result of No Lives Lost on our beaches.
“Together volunteer lifesavers and Council lifeguards have access to the best quality equipment to serve our communities.
“This funding ensures that the ongoing commitment to our communities can continue.”
In addition to the direct sponsorship funding to SLSCC, Council has also prepared for this year’s summer season by servicing, maintaining and replacing critical beach safety equipment.
Council has also bought seven new Can-Am vehicles to be shared by its beach safety team and SLSCC volunteer lifesavers and has updated two existing lifeguard observation towers at MacMasters Beach and The Entrance.
This year three beaches across Central Coast have received improved safety measures with three Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) available at Budgewoi Beach, The Entrance Channel and Pearl Beach thanks to support from Surf Life Saving NSW and the NSW Government.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said it was imperative that Council built strong relationships to obtain the best safety outcomes on our beaches.
“Working closely with SLSCC and individual Surf Life Saving clubs is vital in increasing safety on beaches, especially as our beautiful coastline increases in popularity over the Summer months,” he said.
SLSCC Volunteer Lifesavers patrol 15 Central Coast beaches on weekends and on public holidays, while Council lifeguards patrol from Monday to Friday.
Source:
Central Coast Council