RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION - TRIAL OF REMOTE RESCUE TUBES/LIFE RINGS AT UNPATROLLED BEACHES · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       19 JANUARY 2026


•   Kings Beach
•   Mooloolaba
•   Kurrawa
•   Northcliffe
•   Burleigh
•   Currumbin
•   North Stradbroke Island (Frenchmans Beach)
•   Etty Bay
•   Hervey Bay
•   Bundaberg; and
•   Tannum Sands.
These installations will complement existing sites at Noosa Main Beach, Tallebudgera Creek and
Marcoola Beach.
6. Feasibility of Trial at Unpatrolled Locations with High Visitation
The NoM requests a report on the feasibility of conducting a remote rescue tube/life ring trial at
unpatrolled locations with high visitation. This report should include data on visitation numbers at
these locations, particularly Sunrise Beach and North Peregian Beach.
Response: The findings presented in this report collectively inform the feasibility of the proposed
rescue tube/life ring trial. However, accurate visitation statistics for unpatrolled locations are
generally not available, due to the absence of monitoring technology and consistent patrolling
presence to record visitation. Further discussion will be undertaken with SLSQ to progress
unpatrolled locations monitoring and in particular for Sunrise Beach and North Peregian Beach.
7. Expert Insights – City of Coffs Harbour
The NoM requests Council officers contact Greg Hackfath, Team Leader of Lifeguard Services at
Coffs Harbour, who pioneered a similar project, for insights and guidance.
Response: Mr Hackfath is no longer employed by the City of Coffs Harbour, however discussions
were held with the Section Team Leader, Community Facilities who provided the following insights:
     •   Safety Record: No reported drownings or injuries involving use of rescue tube equipment.
     •   Deployment: 86 rescue tube boxes installed across 36 beaches, supported by a funding
         partnership with Rotary.
     •   Maintenance: No dedicated maintenance budget or asset renewal plan currently in place;
         officers intend to develop these frameworks.
     •   Inspection Program: A formal inspection schedule is proposed for future implementation.
     •   Management: Equipment is currently monitored through community reporting.
     •   Durability: No incidents of vandalism or theft; boxes have proven resilient to environmental
         conditions.
     •   Environmental Impact: Severe dune erosion has required repositioning of some units.
     •   Community Response: Initiative has been positively received by the local community.
     •   Risk Management: The risk profile has been accepted by the NSW Statewide Mutual
         Insurance Program.