"We believe that life is better on the coast. We know that the water is dangerous and that Councils are responsible for coastal water safety. We believe we can do this best by working together"
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LIFEGUARD STATS (24/25 SEASON) (QLD & NSW)
The Coastal Safety Group is a network of Coastal Land Managers. We aim to facilitate collaborative, effective and consistent evidence-based approaches to coastal safety risk management across all NSW Coastal Councils. We work to harness the individual and collective knowledge of our member’s, academic experts and other coastal safety stakeholders to take leadership on coastal safety management.
The Group offers a cohesive voice for advocacy on behalf of Councils responsible for Coastal Safety.
Ultimately the Coastal Safety group aims to provide safer beaches for the public.
What is the Coastal Safety Group?
Local Government Coastal Safety
Local Governments provide a range of Coastal Safety Services to the community including:
Paid Lifeguard Services
Signage
Regulation compliance (including rock fisherman, dogs and 4WD access)
School education programs
Support to research
Asset ownership of Surf Life Saving Clubs
Practice note 15 in NSW emphasises that Councils retain responsibility to make key decisions in relation to strategic planning and risk management even when they delegate their lifesaving function to a contracted and/or volunteer service.
Local Governments provide for paid lifeguard services at 275 beaches in NSW & QLD. Of these beaches, 132 are patrolled by Local Government Lifeguards directly and the remaining 143 are contracted by the land manager.