Meeting papers

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3. Seek Expert Insights: Contact Greg Hackfath, Team Leader of Lifeguard Services at Coffs Harbour, who pioneered a similar project, for insights and guidance. 4. Explore Emergency Beacons: Explore using Surf Life Saving Queensland's (SLSQ) emergency beacons with the rescue tubes/life rings. This would allow beachgoers to contact emergency response by pressing a button, and the tubes/life rings would have clear location markings, including access numbers, to assist emergency responders. Background: Rescue tubes and life rings are widely used across Australia, Europe, and the United States as essential public rescue equipment, yet Queensland is lagging in adopting these life-saving measures. Coffs Harbour has implemented a successful remote rescue tube project across the Central and Northern Coastlines of New South Wales, and similar initiatives are prevalent in places like Hawaii, New Zealand, and Zambia. From Escambia County in Florida to the beaches of Denmark and Germany, these devices have proven effective in preventing drowning incidents. The global adoption of rescue tubes and life rings highlights the need for Queensland to implement similar measures for unpatrolled and remote areas. This initiative is supported by community organizations such as the Noosa Boardriders Club, Noosa Malibu Club, NWSR, NSCA, and NBFA. Two near-drowning incidents in the past 12 months at North Sunshine Beach and A Bay highlight the need for better water safety measures in remote areas, despite long-standing requests for rescue tubes at Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay, and Alexandria Bay, a recent Surf Life Saving Queensland safety audit did not prioritize these devices, focusing instead on relocating defibrillators and installing emergency access numbering. Coffs Harbour City Council's 2019 remote rescue tube trial saw strong community support, no incidents of vandalism, and demonstrated life-saving potential. Since its implementation, no bystander drownings have been reported. This trial is a compelling precedent for Noosa’s unpatrolled and remote beach areas. Conclusion: Noosa Council has the opportunity to enhance beach safety with a remote rescue tube/life ring trial. Drawing on the success of Coffs Harbour’s initiative, this project could offer a cost-effective, community-supported solution to prevent drownings. The trial’s expansion can be carefully evaluated with key stakeholders, ensuring a safer environment for residents and visitors. Supporting Documentation: e Coffs Harbour Remote Rescue Tube Project e Courier Mail article: Sunshine Beach rescue / ABC News article: Argentina lifequard Noosa surfers rescue / https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-13/argentina-lifequard-noosa-surfers- rescue-nude-swimmers-rip/102973488 e [NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys in Zambia](https:/Avww.nsri.org.za/water-safety/pink-rescue buoys/) e Central Coast Rescue Tube Boxes - Central Coast has them: https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2024/05/rescue-tube-boxes-aim-to- reduce-beach-drownings/ e Illawarra Surf Rescue Stations - Illawarra has them: htps://regionillawara.com.au/manyana- inspiration-surf-rescue-stations-planned-for-lake-conjola-following-drowning/17514 e Hawaiian Rescue Tube Foundation / Study on Rescue Rings in Kauai - Study published on the rescue rings in Kauai: https://www.beachsafetresearch.com/blog/evauating-public-rescue-tube- deployment-in-hawaii e Surf lifesaving NZ public rescue equipment guide: https://noosatoday.com.au/news/15-01- 2022/surf -rescues-simple-solution/ e Ballina Beach Rescue Devices - Ballina has them: ballina.nsw.gov.au/beach-rescue-devices e ILS Public Information on Rescue Tubes in Europe - Europe has them - Denmark and Germany: https://europe.ilsf.org/wp- content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/202007 Public Information PRT EN.pdf e _https:/Awww.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/christine-logan-saves- woman-from-rip-at-sunshine-beach/news-story/f843ef31c4ae1c23f165c9037f4a2144 Page 108 of 141