Lifeguard Service Plan - Sunshine Coast Council - Queensland ...

Lifeguard Service Plan 2012 - 2015
Lifeguard Service App A Plan

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
© Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2011.
www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
mail@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
T 07 5475 7272 F 07 5475 7277
Locked Bag 72,
Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560
Acknowledgements
Council wishes to thank all contributors and
stakeholders involved in the development of this
document.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this document is based on
available information at the time of writing. All figures
and diagrams are indicative only and should be
referred to as such. While the Sunshine Coast
Regional Council has exercised reasonable care in
preparing this document it does not warrant or
represent that it is accurate or complete. Council or
its officers accept no responsibility for any loss
occasioned to any person acting or refraining from
acting in reliance upon any material contained in this
document.

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 4
LIFEGUARD SERVICE HISTORY.................................................................................................................... 4
POLICY FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................................................... 5
COUNCIL POLICY CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................. 5
RELEVANT LEGISLATION................................................................................................................................... 5
STATE OF THE SERVICE................................................................................................................................ 6
2011 SNAPSHOT.............................................................................................................................................. 6
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE.......................................................................................................................... 7
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE................................................................................................................................ 8
STAFFING ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT................................................................................................................... 9
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES......................................................................................................... 10
GROWING DEMAND ........................................................................................................................................ 10
CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS............................................................................................................................ 10
IMPROVING PARTNERSHIPS ............................................................................................................................ 11
IMPROVING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING.............................................................................................................. 11
ATTRACTING & RETAINING GOOD PEOPLE....................................................................................................... 11
ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY.............................................................................................................................. 12
ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY ........................................................................................................................... 12
SERVICE LEVEL PLAN 2012 - 2015 ............................................................................................................. 13
TIERED SERVICE LEVELS................................................................................................................................ 13
BEACH HAZARD RATING................................................................................................................................. 13
SUMMARY OF CHANGES ................................................................................................................................. 14
FUTURE DIRECTIONS.................................................................................................................................. 14
APPENDIX 1: PROPOSED BEACH PATROLS ............................................................................................ 15
APPENDIX 2: FINANCIAL OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................... 18
APPENDIX 3: BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................... 19
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 21
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 3

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
INTRODUCTION
Sunshine Coast beaches are recognised as some of
the best in Australia and are a magnet to people
moving here and to national and international
visitors holidaying in the region. Safe beaches are
therefore critical to the lifestyle and economy of the
Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast Council Lifeguard Service
manages foreshore and aquatic activities for the
enjoyment and protection of the Sunshine Coast
residents and its visitors. In addition, Surf Life
Saving Queensland (SLSQ) operates volunteer
lifesaving patrols during the surf lifesaving season
(September to May) and provides ancillary
professional and 24 hour emergency call out
services throughout the year.
This combination of services has ensured a high
degree of protection and education for beach visitors
with fewer incidents in the past five years than the
previous five year period.
Council’s commitment to the ongoing safety of
beach visitors includes this Lifeguard Service Plan
for 2012 - 2015 which has been developed to guide
operational activities for the coming three years. Its
aim is to provide equitable levels of service delivery
along the Sunshine Coast by enhancing parity in
service levels, addressing operational
inconsistencies, improving gaps in service delivery
and responding to short term growth demands.
LIFEGUARD SERVICE HISTORY
Council’s involvement in beach safety started with
funding in the 1920’s to support the existing
volunteer lifesaving services. Increasingly the
Sunshine Coast became a popular tourist
destination and weekend volunteer surf lifesaving
patrols were no longer sufficient for the numbers of
people using the beach. Professional "Beach
Inspectors" (Lifeguards) commenced at Kings Beach
Caloundra in December 1965 and within Maroochy
Shire in 1966.
In the ensuing 40 years, the existing councils,
Caloundra, Maroochy and Noosa, progressively
increased professional lifeguard services to operate
seven days a week over multiple locations. They
continued to supplement the voluntary weekend
patrols undertaken by Surf Life Saving Queensland.
The three councils provided in-house lifeguard
services however Noosa Council contracted out its
Lifeguard Service to Surf Life Saving Queensland
from early 1980’s to 2001 before returning to an inhouse
model.
Noosa and Caloundra Council lifeguard services
were generally tourist focussed and similar in size
supporting one major tourist location and additional
lifeguard services including seasonal locations as
required. Maroochy Council’s lifeguard service was
considerably larger with several significant tourist
locations and additional seasonal locations.
In 2008 the three councils amalgamated to form
Sunshine Coast Council. The new council continues
to provide in-house lifeguard services and maintains
a proactive role in managing beach safety.
Mooloolaba Life Saving Club c. 1923
Picture courtesy Sunshine Coast Libraries
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Lifeguard Service App A Plan
POLICY FRAMEWORK
Council Policy Context
Lifeguard Services are a significant service provider
within the Community Services department of
Sunshine Coast Council and considered a core
responsibility of council. They deliver tangible
outcomes under council’s corporate plan. In
addition, they support a range of council strategies
and plans including the Social Infrastructure
Strategy and Wellbeing Charter.
Relevant Legislation
While Australian civil liability law requires
beachgoers to take personal responsibility for
“obvious” risks, council is responsible for monitoring
risk, making users aware of inherent dangers and for
communicating effectively with them about these
dangers.
At a state level, councils are authorised to control
bathing reserves under the Local Government Act
2009 and subordinate legislation. In addition,
council’s lifeguard service is also authorised to
undertake rescues in disaster situations under the
Disaster Management Act 2003.
At a local level, councils control bathing reserves
through a local law and subordinate local laws.
Sunshine Coast Council has developed a draft local
law, “Local Law No 6 – Bathing Reserves” to
manage activities within bathing reserves. When
adopted, the new local law will replace the individual
local laws of the three former councils.
Table 1: Sunshine Coast Council Corporate Plan 2009-2014
Theme 1. Robust Economy
Emerging Priorities
Primary Strategies
1.4 A Sustainable Tourism Industry 1.4.3 Determine Councils level of support to the tourism
industry
Theme 4. Health and Well-being
Emerging Priorities
Primary Strategies
4.1 Safe & healthy communities 4.1.2 Provide community safety and regulatory programs
that ensure the well-being of residents and visitors
4.2 Active lifestyles 4.2.2 Encourage healthy and balanced lifestyles
4.2.3 Promote physical activity and recreation
Theme 7. Managing growth
Emerging Priorities
7.5 Council’s services & assets meet the
needs of our growing community
Theme 8. Great governance
Emerging Priorities
8.1 Ethical, accountable & transparent
decision-making
Primary Strategies
7.5.1 Determine the types and level of services provided
by council.
Primary Strategies
8.1.2 Ensure legislative compliance and awareness.
8.5 Advocacy & partnerships 8.5.2 Advocate and create alliances with all levels of
government and peak bodies in the community.
8.7 Excellence in customer service 8.7.3 Enhance existing customer service and explore
improved methods of service delivery.
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 5

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
2011 Snapshot
STATE OF THE SERVICE
In 2011, lifeguard services on the Sunshine Coast
are provided primarily in combination between
Sunshine Coast Council and SLSQ. These
services ensure that there are patrolled beaches
available 365 days of the year.
Sunshine Coast Council provides a professional
lifeguard service to manage the coast’s beaches
from Noosa to Caloundra. Its lifeguards are
dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and
maintaining the beach as a place of enjoyment for
all. They provide five main services to the
community:
o
o
o
o
o
beach and water safety,
beach education,
local law enforcement,
tourism support and
special event support.
Council currently employs 21 permanent
lifeguards and up to 84 casual lifeguards in peak
periods to provide services on 27 beaches. All
lifeguards are given specific training in rescue
techniques, resuscitation and lifesaving
procedures utilising up to date lifesaving
equipment. This includes defibrillators, medical
soft packs and jet skis.
Council’s lifeguard services are predominantly
dedicated to patrolling the flagged bathing
reserves, as well as responding to emergency call
outs. Surf Life Saving Queensland supports these
patrols by providing additional roving services via
helicopter, jet ski and 4WD on weekends, holidays
and during the week during peak periods.
Sunshine Coast Patrolled Beaches 2011
From September to May council patrols:
o
o
o
o
5 beaches, seven days a week;
13 beaches, Monday to Friday;
5 beaches on weekends and summer
school holidays, and
4 beaches on summer school holidays
only.
During winter council patrols 13 beaches, seven
days a week.
SLSQ provides additional support services
throughout the year including volunteer patrols on
13 beaches on weekends and Public Holidays
from September to May. The Royal Life Saving
Society provides a volunteer patrol at Bulcock
Beach at similar times to SLSQ from September
to May through the Ithaca Caloundra City
Lifesaving Club.
6 Sunshine Coast Council

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Operational Performance
The primary role of Council’s lifeguards is to
ensure beach safety by preventing incidents and
responding when incidents occur. Tragic
occurrences on Sunshine Coast beaches are
infrequent as the council service provides
extensive coverage, staff are highly trained, SLSQ
provides significant support and lifeguards focus
on taking preventative actions.
In 2009-10, Sunshine Coast lifeguards and SLSQ
patrols estimated there were more than 7.9 million
visitations to beaches under guard, and only .02%
of these required rescuing, while approximately
2.5% required first aid advice or treatment, mostly
for minor marine stings and minor cuts or
abrasions.
Twenty-four people have drowned on Sunshine
Coast beaches since 1999; however most of
these occurred outside patrolled areas or patrol
hours. Most of these drownings were more than
five years ago. In the past five years seven people
have drowned on the Sunshine Coast, none
occurring within a patrolled area.
As well as providing lifeguard services, council
lifeguards undertake:
o
o
o
local law enforcement,
tourism ambassador services, providing
beach condition information and public
relations, and
surf education for school and community
groups.
Table 3: Service Statistics - Additional Functions
Function
Nov
2008-
Jun 09
2009-10 2010-11
Local laws 23,575 44,426 34,991
Community
education
sessions
Tourism/ PR
contacts
407 375 393
144,462 237,945 187,542
While the Lifeguard Service is providing a high
standard of service and professionalism, changes
in service levels are required to achieve greater
parity along the coast, improve beach safety at
some locations and respond to changing
demographics and development.
Table 2: Service Statistics – Key Activities
Function
Nov
2008- 2009-10 2010-11
Jun 09 2
Preventative 66,445 108,683 83,430
actions 1
Rescues 972 759 626
First aid
treatments
9,735 15,306 5,336
1 Preventative actions include duties like putting out
signs, verbally warning swimmers of danger and using
the public address system.
2 Data has not been collated prior to November 2008
across the three council areas.
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Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Financial Performance
The following sections summarise the key aspects
forming the budget for Lifeguard Services.
Additional financial data can be located in
Appendix 2.
Operating Expenses
Over the past three year period there has been an
average annual increase of 6.6% to operating
costs for the Lifeguard Service. While there has
been a small increase in service levels over this
period, the increases are largely due to wage
rises and increases in operating costs.
Chart 1: Lifeguard Service Operating Expenses
6,500,000
6,000,000
5,500,000
5,000,000
4,500,000
Total operating expenses
Total operating expenses
exc corporate costs
challenge in revenue raising should be taken into
account in long term planning for the service.
Chart 2: Lifeguard Service Income
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Capital
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Capital investment has varied over the years. The
chart below presents capital investment for the
past four years, with an estimate for the current
year. Projects have included installation of storage
facilities and tower reconstructions.
Chart 3: Lifeguard Service Capital Investment
4,000,000
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
2008-2009 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Income
Revenue sources include levies, sponsorship and
recoverable works, such as the lifeguard service
funded by the Hyatt Coolum. However income has
declined considerably in recent years. This is due
to the loss of developer and rateable levy income
at sites such as The Boardwalk Coolum and
Marcoola Discovery Beach and the loss of the
Suncorp sponsorship following the impact of
recent natural disasters on Suncorp’s sponsorship
budget.
The loss of $140,000 sponsorship revenue will
have a direct impact on the budget bottom line as
it is considerably difficult for local government to
obtain sponsorships of this nature at anytime let
alone in the current economic climate.
It is also difficult for council’s lifeguard service to
attract external funding from either business
sponsorship or government and philanthropic
grants, particularly in competition with the more
publicly recognisable and volunteer focussed
organisations including surf life saving clubs. This
Council owns the majority of lifeguard towers with
two having shared ownership and two being
owned directly by surf clubs. 1 The towers in the
South Region (Maroochy River to Caloundra) are
generally in good condition and sufficient for
operational requirements however there are some
deficiencies in the North Region (Noosa to
Maroochy River) requiring capital expenditure
over the next three years. This includes upgrading
existing towers and constructing two new towers.
1 Refer to Appendix 3 for details of towers at each
Beach Patrol location
8 Sunshine Coast Council

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Staffing
Approximately 105 staff members make up 55 full
time equivalent positions as shown in Table 4
below. Staffing is the largest single cost for the
lifeguard service. Being a seasonal service, the
Lifeguard Service employs large numbers of
casual staff to supplement permanent staff. The
seasonal nature of the service contributes to
issues with recruiting qualified casual staff to work
each year.
The majority of lifeguards originate from surf life
saving clubs however experienced surfers and
emergency service personnel are now also
attracted to lifeguard employment. In order to
maintain a high quality of service, lifeguard staff
are required to complete annual proficiencies for
Advanced Resuscitation, first aid plus regular
fitness and surf skill tests and rescue techniques.
Ongoing training is essential to maintaining skill
levels.
Table 4: Staffing Levels 2010/2011
Employee category
Number
of staff
Total weekly
staff hours
Average
weekly hours
Full time
equivalents
Permanent – Full-time 17 798 38pp 21
Permanent - Part-time
4 114
Varies
seasonally
3
Casual
84
Varies
seasonally
Varies
seasonally
31
Total staff 105 55
Infrastructure and Equipment
The Lifeguard Service is generally adequately
resourced with considerable facilities and
equipment to meet the current service
requirements. However several additional facilities
are recommended within the next three years to
meet changing demands.
o Lifeguard Tower Sunrise Beach
o Lifeguard Tower North Peregian
o Lifeguard Storage Mudjimba Beach
o Lifeguard Storage Currimundi Beach
o Lifeguard Storage Peregian Beach
o Lifeguard Storage Ithaca Lifesaving
Club/Bulcock Beach
Fleet equipment includes:
o
o
o
15 Jet Skis
10 4WD Vehicles
15 ATV/Rhino Quad Bikes
Additional equipment includes but is not limited to
35 Defibrillators, 36 Resuscitation Kits and
approximately 50 Rescue Boards.
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 9

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Lifeguard Service is faced with changing
environments and must review services and
operations to remain relevant and efficient. While
this Service Plan covers the coming three year
period, council needs to be cognisant of emerging
challenges and opportunities as it prepares for the
longer term future.
Growing Demand
Beach usage on the Sunshine Coast will continue
to increase in response to the growing population,
increasing development and improving foreshores
and beach access. Council will come under
increasing pressure to respond to growing
demand by extending coverage. Restricting
responses to this growth would be difficult given
the likelihood that safety standards may drop and
accidents may increase.
The Coast’s population is projected to increase
from about 330,000 in 2010 to 500,000 in 2031.
New residents are likely to be attracted by the
coastal lifestyle and it is likely that beach
visitations will climb in line with population growth.
The Sunshine Coast currently attracts about
2,468,000 domestic and 280,000 international
overnight visitors each year as well as over 5
million day trippers. These visitor levels have
remained reasonably consistent for the past ten
years, fluctuating up or down by up to 10% in line
with economic conditions. As the Sunshine Coast
attracts increasing numbers of visitors from a
range of cultures unfamiliar with the surf
environment including growing markets such as
China and India, this may have a further impact
on Lifeguard Services.
o Maroochydore to Alexandra Headlands -
beach replenishment & renourishment
o Mooloolaba Spit regeneration
Changing Demographics
The Sunshine Coast has an older age
demographic which reflects the high number of
retirees who have moved to the region, and the
high number of young adults migrating away for
employment and educational opportunities.
This trend is projected to continue: in the two
decades to 2026, the number of people over the
age of 65 is predicted to more than double (from
47,554 to 100,774), while the number of people
over the age of 85 is likely to almost treble (from
5,251 to 14,856). While this structural ageing of
the population is a national phenomenon, the
impacts are experienced earlier and more
profoundly in sea change communities, like the
Sunshine Coast.
The increased proportion of retirees and older
people is likely to impact on beach usage. For
example, retirees have more leisure time and their
leisure activities frequently incorporate the beach
to swim, walk and exercise their dog. This will
potentially increase the numbers of people visiting
the beach. In addition, retirees have fewer
restrictions on when they can visit the beach
therefore this will potentially increase the numbers
of people visiting the beach in traditionally quieter
weekday periods.
Resort and residential developments will continue
to be constructed. This is likely to lead to
increased usage and demand for beach access
points and amenities. In addition, existing
foreshore areas will be regenerated often
improving facilities and making these beaches
more attractive to residents and visitors.
Potential foreshore activities likely to impact on
Lifeguard Services within the life of the service
plan include:
o Noosa North Shore - improvements to
camping and foreshore facilities and 4WD
exclusion
o Bokarina - Stockland development
providing additional access points
o Growth from Mudjimba to Hyatt Coolum
and Kawana to Bokarina
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Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Improving Partnerships
Sunshine Coast Council is one of only two local
governments in Queensland providing lifeguard
services in-house rather than contracting them to
an external provider, the other being Gold Coast.
Surf Life Saving Queensland is the provider of
beach safety and rescue services for all 15 local
authorities who contract out this role throughout
Queensland.
The Lifeguard Service builds relationships and
develops partnerships with relevant organisations
to increase the effectiveness of its operations. It
works proactively with SLSQ and other
stakeholders to maintain beach safety with the
aim of providing a more effective and efficient
service to residents, visitors and ratepayers.
Council has been working with SLSQ to increase
integration over time. Examples include:
o
o
o
sharing of data and information,
sharing of some towers, and
undertaking a partnership trial with the
SLSQ Communications Centre.
While relationships are positive, there is potential
to improve the partnership to reduce duplication,
improve service delivery and maximise all
available resources.
Improving Public Understanding
Public understanding of the messages used to
convey beach conditions and safety information is
critical to providing a safe beach environment.
Council has worked with SLSQ and other
stakeholders to increase consistency of signage
and comply with international standards. This is
particularly important for residents and visitors
from outside the region and those with different
cultures who are unfamiliar with the coastal
environment. However some inconsistencies
remain including variations of patrol hours, service
protocols and contrasting patrol uniforms.
However ongoing improved relationships and
development of partnerships is improving
consistency.
Attracting & Retaining Good People
The majority of lifeguard staff generally have
previous experience as volunteer lifesavers
however recent additions to lifeguard staff include
experienced surfers and emergency service
paramedics, police, fire & rescue service
personnel.
Formal qualifications are renewed as required,
generally on an annual basis with further regular
fitness and skill based assessments completed on
a quarterly basis.
The seasonal nature of this service does at times
result in difficulty to recruit staff during peak
periods, however seasonal work is attractive to
younger people, including tertiary students and
those seeking part-time work.
The service also has a considerable number of
long term permanent and casual employees with
potential for future aging workforce issues.
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 11

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Advancing Technology
While the Lifeguard Service is essentially a
human service, technology plays an important role
in the ability of lifeguards to effectively undertake
their duties. Advancements continue to be made
to existing equipment including rescue craft (Jet
Skis) and resuscitation equipment such as
portable defibrillators. The impact of advancing
technology is particularly seen in the
communications area and council will need to
factor this into future planning for the service.
New technologies are currently being trialled
including:
o GPS/Data capture phone system
o SLSQ Communications Centre
(SurfComms) /Lifeguard Command trial
o SLSQ Radio Network upgrade
Organisational capacity
The Lifeguard Service is a complex operation for
council to manage: 105 staff requiring specific
industry qualifications operate over 27 locations
across the coast. It is a unique service when
compared with the standard local government
services. The range of challenges includes
adequate professional development, maintaining
qualifications, keeping current with technology
and having sufficient resources.
The scale of council’s lifeguard services allows it
to develop expertise and systems for the
operation of the service. However SLSQ and its
professional Lifeguard Services, are solely
dedicated to this industry and are recognised by
State Government as the peak industry body.
Council cannot expect to invest the same
resources to this ever increasing industry at the
same level as SLSQ given thier sole purpose is
the development and management of Lifeguard
and Lifesaving Services. Hence the necessity to
continue developing relationships and
partnerships with Surf Lifesaving Association’s
professional and volunteer arms.
12 Sunshine Coast Council

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
SERVICE LEVEL PLAN 2012 - 2015
Over the past three years minor changes have
been introduced to Lifeguard Service operations
including the introduction of a North and South
Region and more uniformed patrol hours.
However further streamlining is required to
achieve greater parity and meet specific demand
and growth across the Sunshine Coast.
This Service Level Plan proposes actions that will
guide operational activities for the coming three
years, particularly to initially enhance parity of
service across the Sunshine Coast and address
gaps in service delivery. The actions proposed
respond to the immediate challenges facing the
service in an efficient and responsible manner
while maintaining beach safety standards on the
Sunshine Coast.
Tiered Service Levels
This Service Plan recommends the introduction of
tiered service levels ranging from full time
permanent locations to minimal seasonal
locations. The allocation of beaches to tiers will
take into consideration numerous indicators
including beach conditions, usage, development,
population, location, amenities, infrastructure, and
demand. Beaches will be patrolled either by
council lifeguard service, surf lifesaving volunteers
or a combination of both.
This tiered service level system addresses
inconsistencies identified following amalgamation,
improves parity in service levels and supports the
provision of an efficient and effective lifeguard
service for beach visitors and ratepayers. It will
ensure that beaches of a similar nature will
receive a consistent level of service.
o
o
o
o
Level 1 - Patrolled all year - Major location
Level 2 - Patrolled seven days September to
May plus weekends, school & public holidays
during winter.
Level 3 - Patrolled Weekends, school and
public holidays all year. Seasonal service
Level 4 - Patrolled weekends, school & public
holidays September to May. Minimal seasonal
service
Table 5: Proposed tiered service levels at 2014/2015
Tier Patrol Beach/Area
Level 1 Bulcock, Kings, Dicky,
Buddina/Kawana, Mooloolaba Main
and Spit, Alexandra Headlands,
Maroochydore, Twin Waters,
Mudjimba, Marcoola, Hyatt Coolum,
Coolum, Peregian, Sunshine and
Noosa Main & Noosa West
Level 2 Discovery Beach at Marcoola
Level 3 Currimundi, Sunrise and North
Peregian Beaches
Level 4 Kings Beach Pool, Golden Beach,
Boardwalk, Yaroomba and Noosa
North Shore, Wurtulla
Beach Hazard Rating
The Australian Beach Safety and Management
Program (ABSAMP) was developed by the
University of Sydney Coastal Studies Unit, in
conjunction with Surf Life Saving Australia and
State Associations. The program has identified
coastal hazards that affect bathers and rates the
safety of the beach on a scale of one to ten,
where one is the least hazardous and ten is the
most hazardous. These hazard ratings have been
taken into consideration in the allocations of tiers
to individual beaches.
Table 6: ABSAMP Hazard Ratings
Hazard Details
Rating
1 - 3 Least Hazardous: Low Danger posed
by water depth and / or weak
currents; however supervision is still
required, in particular for children and
poor swimmers.
4 - 6 Moderately Hazardous: The level of
hazard depends on the wave and
weather conditions, with the
possibility of strong rips and currents
posing a moderate risk.
7 - 8 Highly Hazardous: Experience in
strong surf, rips and currents
required, with beaches in this
category considered dangerous.
9 - 10 Extremely Hazardous: Identifies
beaches that are considered
extremely dangerous due to strong
rips and currents, and large breakers.
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 13

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Summary of Changes
The recommended changes based on service
level rationale (refer Appendix 1) are cost neutral
for 2012/13. The most prominent change includes
ceasing the flagged area at Mooloolaba Cats. The
rationale for this change is that Mooloolaba beach
will still be the predominant serviced location
across the Sunshine Coast with two, Tier 1 (all
year) flagged patrols remaining plus ongoing
active surveillance of the entire length of
Mooloolaba Beach. The subsequent increase in
service to Buddina/Kawana shall address the
shortfall where currently no service exists
between Dicky Beach Caloundra and Mooloolaba
(a thirteen kilometre stretch of hazardous surf)
from May to September. Incremental increases in
service level are proposed at Bulcock and
Marcoola given these areas are considered major
locations. These changes, if adopted, will be
achievable within existing budget.
The proposed changes commencing 2012/13 are
cost neutral (within budget) and recommended to
be introduced February 2012 following the end of
the Summer school holiday period.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
The actions outlined in this Service Plan will
provide a more equitable level of service and
beach safety along the Sunshine Coast over the
coming three years. However the pressures and
challenges facing the Lifeguard Service shall
continue and these warrant further consideration
Key issues include continued growth and demand,
considerably reduced capacity for external
funding, increasing costs in resourcing, and the
ongoing increases in employee costs training and
development.
Consideration should also be given to the
relationship between the council lifeguard service
and SLSQ’s services. It would therefore be
appropriate to undertake a more strategic service
sustainability review after the implementation of
the Service Plan in 2012.
The coordination and integration of relevant
services may be achieved dependant on the
various options as depicted below.
14 Sunshine Coast Council

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Beach Name
ABSAMP
Hazard
Rating
APPENDIX 1: PROPOSED BEACH PATROLS
Proposed Tier Classification
Change in Description of Changes
patrol
days per
year
2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Golden Beach N/A n/a n/a 4
$32,825
Bulcock Beach 3 2
$35,500
2 1
$35,600
43 Increase to minimum Tier 4, Sept
to May weekends, school & public
holidays Commence 2014/15
Total cost $32,825
129 Incremental increase to major
location, Tier 1, patrolled all year
Commence winter weekends +
hols 2012/13 then to full service
Level 1 in 2014/15
Total cost $71,100
Rationale/ Comment
Growth area influenced by further
development and tourism
Growth area, tourist location, lifesaving
club, infrastructure & amenities.
Kings Beach 5 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Kings Beach Pool N/A 4
Less -
$15000
4 4 0 Tier 4 weekends school & public
hols Sept to May
Total cost less $15,000
Camera and emergency alarm now in
place. Supported by Kings Beach
Lifeguards & Surf Lifesaving
Dicky Beach 5 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Currimundi 5 4 3
$35,500
3 51 Increase to Tier 3, patrolled
weekends, school & public
Growth area, residential & tourist
location, amenities.
holidays all year. Commence
2013/14 Total cost $35,500
Wurtulla 5 4 4 4 0 NO CHANGE Already seasonal service Tier 4
Buddina
(Kawana)
5 2
$25,925
1
$36,000
1 124 Incremental increase service to
major location, Tier 1, all year
Commence winter weekends +
hols 2012/13 then to full service
Level 1 in 2013/14
Total cost $61,925
Major location, infrastructure ,amenities,
surf club. Provides link between 13km
stretch from Dicky to Mooloolaba during
winter.
Mooloolaba Main 4 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1.
Increase roving capabilities to cover cats
area no additional funding required
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 15

Beach Name
SLSQ
ABSAMP
Hazard
Rating
Proposed Tier Classification
2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Change in
patrol
days per
year
Description of Changes
Rationale/ Comment
Mooloolaba Spit 4 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Mooloolaba Cats 4 Less
-$71,000
Alexandra
Headland
n/a n/a -107 Cease flagged area
Total cost less $71,000
Two Tier 1 patrolled areas remain at
Mooloolaba Beach. Lifeguards increase
active surveillance to cover entire length
of Mooloolaba Beach.
5 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Maroochydore 6 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Twin Waters 6 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Originally funded by Twin Waters Resort
Mudjimba 6 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Discovery 6 2
$35,500
Marcoola 6 2
$35,500
2 2 49 Increase service to Tier 2
Commence winter weekends +
hols 2012/13 Total cost $35,500
1
$46,800
Boardwalk 6 n/a 4
$29,400
1
$35,600
248 Incremental increase service to
Tier 1 all year. Commence winter
weekends + hols 2012/13 then to
full service Level 1 by 2014/15
Total cost $117,900
4 47 Increase to minimum Tier 4
patrolled Sept to May weekends,
school & public holidays.
Commence 2013/14
Total increase 29,400
Growth area, residential & tourist, high
density tourist accommodation
Major location, infrastructure amenities,
surf club, residential
Increase to minimal service. Previously
reduced following cessation of funding
from Stockland, growth area.
Hyatt 6 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Fully Funded by Hyatt Coolum
Yaroomba 6 4
$31,225
39 Increase to minimum Tier 4 Sept
to May weekends, school & public
holidays Commence 2014/15
Total cost $31,225
Coolum 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE
Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Increase to recommended minimal
service level. Surfing, residential .
Already Major Service Tier 1
16 Sunshine Coast Council

Beach Name
SLSQ
ABSAMP
Hazard
Rating
Coolum Nth 6 Less
$39,000
Proposed Tier Classification
2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Change in
patrol
days per
year
Description of Changes
- -41 Service remains however
reduction to single person
location non holiday weekends
Sept to May
Total less $39,000
Rationale/ Comment
Coolum Surf Club Patrols 300m to south
and supports Coolum Nth on weekends.
Peregian 6 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
North Peregian 6 4 3
$35,500
Sunrise Beach 6 4 3
$35,500
3 49 Increase toTier 3 patrolled
weekends, school & public
holidays all year Commence
2013/14 Total cost $35,500
3 49 Increase toTier 3 patrolled
weekends, school & public
holidays all year Commence
2013/14Total Cost $35,500
Growth area residential & tourist,
infrastructure & amenities
Growth area residential & tourist,
infrastructure & amenities
Sunshine Beach 6 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Noosa Main 5 1 1 1 0 NO CHANGE Already Major Service Tier 1
Noosa West
(outpost)
Noosa North
Shore
Total Cost Cost
Neutral
5 n/a n/a 1 0 Increase service on weekends
Sept to May if not patrolled by
SLSC
6 n/a n/a 4
$68,000
$218,700 203,250$
113 NEW minimal service Tier 4, Sept
to May weekends, school & public
holidays. Commence 2013/14
Total Cost $68,000
Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Already Major Service Tier 1
Currently only outpost patrol (no flags).
Proposed additional flagged area
2013/14 no requirement for additional
staff.
Identified as hot spot. (previous
drownings) 4wd exclusion zone
introduced to attract beach visitors,
improved facilities & camping area,
currently roving patrols by SLSQ during
Holidays Sept to May
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 17

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
APPENDIX 2: FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 notes
$ $ $ $
Income 363,635 284,681 254,236 101,000 Sponsorship of $127,000 deleted
Expenditure
Total employee costs 3,130,337 3,185,314 3,477,354 3,754,097
Operating costs (inc. internal
consumption charges)
528,448 486,255 502,097 626,948 Includes fleet e.g. vehicles, jet skis, quad
bikes
Depreciation and finance 29,552 45,076 43,898
Indirect internal charges 439,674 516,045 1,206,836 1,410,937
Total operating expenditure 4,098,459 4,217,165 5,231,364 5,835,879
Operating surplus/ (deficit) (3,734,824) (3,932,483) (4,977,128) (5,607,906)
Total operating expenditure less
indirect internal charges
3,658,785 3,701,120 4,024,528 4,424,942
.
18 Sunshine Coast Council

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
APPENDIX 3: BUILT INFRASTRUCTURE
Location Tower/Ownership Storage/Ownership Comment
Noosa North Shore No No Proposed new patrol location
2014/15 – Tower & storage
required
Noosa West Yes/council Yes/council Facilities shared with SLSQ
Noosa Main Yes/council In tower Tower shared with Surf Club
Sunshine Beach Yes /Council No
Sunrise No No No Vehicle access,proposed
tower, storage and 4WD access
North Peregian No No Proposed new tower,
Peregian Beach yes/council No Proposed new storage
Coolum North Yes council Yes/council
Coolum Beach Yes/ surf club No
Yaroomba No No
Hyatt Coolum Yes/council YesCouncil / .Storage in tower & at Hyatt
Boardwalk Tower Yes Yes/ leased facility No vehicle access
Marcoola Tower Yes/surf Club No
Discovery Beach Yes/Council No
Mudjimba yes/council No Proposed new storage
Twin Waters Yes/Council Yes/Council Lifeguard HQ, Twin Waters
Maroochydore Council Owned Yes/council
Alex Tower Yes/shared Yes/council
Mooloolaba Yes/shared Yes/council
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 19

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
Location Tower/Ownership Storage/Ownership Comment
Mooloolaba Spit Yes/council no
Mooloolaba Cats No No
Buddina Kawana Yes Council Yes/council Storage in Tower
Wurtulla Tower Yes/council No
Currimundi Tower Yes/council No Proposed new storage facility
Dicky Beach Yes/council Yes/council
Kings Beach Yes/council Yes/council Sth Region Lifeguard HQ
Ithaca –Bulcock Yes/Council Limited Shared facility with Ithaca
proposed extend storage
Golden Beach Yes/council Yes/council
20 Sunshine Coast Council

Lifeguard Service App A Plan
REFERENCES
Australian Water Safety Council. Australian Water Safety Strategy 2008-2011. (2008)
Longhurst, Robert Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club : our club, our story : 1922-1997 (1997)
McMurdo, M.A., Legal Considerations for Beach Safety, Beach Safety and the Law National Summit,
November 2007, page 10
Noosa Shire Council Lifeguard Services Strategic Plan 2002-2007 (2002).
Queensland Government, Local Government (Finance, Plans and Reporting) Regulation 2010 (2010)
Queensland Government, Local Government (Operations) Regulation 2010 (2010)
Queensland Government, Local Government Act 2009, (2009).
Queensland Government, Queensland Disaster Management Act 2003 (2003)
Sunshine Coast Council, Corporate Plan 2009-2014, (2009).
Sunshine Coast Council, Lifeguard Service Profile (2010)
Sunshine Coast Council, Social Planning Demographic Profile: Introduction To The Sunshine Coast Region
(2009)
Sunshine Coast Council, Social Planning Demographic Profile: Population (2009)
Sunshine Coast Council, Sunshine Coast Sport and Active Recreation Plan 2011-2026 (2010).
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Local Law No. 6 (Bathing Reserves) 2011(draft) (2011)
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Subordinate Local Law No. 6 (Bathing Reserves) 2011(draft) (2011)
Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Report 2011: A Summary Of Coastal Drowning Deaths In
Australia (2011)
Surf Life Saving Queensland Frontline First: Strategic Plan 2008-2011 (2009)
Tourism Queensland, Sunshine Coast Regional Snapshot, year ended June 2010 (2011)
Lifeguard Service Plan 2012-2015 21

Lifeguard Service Plan
Lifeguard Service App A Plan