PEREGIAN BEACH SURF LIFESAVING CLUB - FUNDING REQUEST AND UPDATE ON OPERATIONS (Referred from Services & Organisation dated 12 November 2024) · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       18 NOVEMBER 2024


     C. Apply the exception to the requirement for tendering of the lease under Section 236 (1) (b)
        (ii) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 as the lease is to a community organisation.



Finance
This report recommends Council fund the service level gap on Saturdays for a further two year period
to assist the club with its efforts to establish, build its membership base and consolidate operations.
The current cost to Council to provide SLSQ lifeguard services on Saturdays and public holidays is
$81,000. PBSLSC’s proposal to increase their patrolling commitment to include public holidays
falling within the September to May patrolling season will decrease Council’s contribution to $46,000.

Risk & Opportunities
Risks
PBSLSC has proposed an increase to beach patrol operations by assuming responsibility for public
holidays within the September to May lifesaving season. An incremental increase to patrol services
provided by the club over time is designed to mitigate the risk of volunteer burnout and to ensure
there are adequate qualified lifesavers on each beach patrol to maintain a safe bathing environment.
Scaling up without adequate active patrolling members risks club failure. If the club fails, the
successful nipper program and volunteer patrol contributions may cease noting Council will be
required to fund year round SLSQ lifeguard services.
Any future proposal from PBSLSC to increase its beach patrol operations to all available days in the
September to May lifesaving season including Saturdays, will require SLSQ endorsement to ensure
the club has appropriate resources to deliver the service without compromising community safety.

Opportunities
PBSLSC is committed to growing its membership base, consolidating its operations and improving
the member experience through club improvements. Strategic planning, good governance, capable
committees and a strong relationship with the community are critical to the ongoing success of the
club.
The nipper program is designed to build children’s confidence in the surf in a fun and supportive
environment and relies heavily on volunteer assistance to ensure its viability. The introduction of
parents and carers to lifesaving via the nipper movement provides a unique opportunity to leverage
future involvement via upskilling and contributions to other areas of the club such as lifesaving
patrols, lifesaver training and committee participation.

Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.




Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Peregian Beach Surf Lifesaving Club
Surf Lifesaving Queensland