Meeting papers

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                           19 JANUARY 2026


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


Author             Acting Local Laws and Environmental Health Manager, Clint Irwin
                   Local Laws | Development and Regulation Department
Index              35.01 Management of Lifeguard Contract/ 46.15 Use of Council Land/ 46.16
                   Use of State Land
Attachments        1.   Attachment 1 Notice of Motion


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Following a Notice of Motion tabled at the September 2024 Ordinary Meeting, Council requested a
report on the feasibility of installing remote rescue tubes and life rings at unpatrolled beach locations,
to determine whether a trial should be conducted.
Public rescue devices have been promoted as an effective intervention to reduce drowning risk by
providing flotation until help arrives. Several NSW Councils have implemented similar programs and
Surf Lifesaving Queensland, as the State’s peak coastal safety authority, has commenced a
statewide rollout. Community groups have also advocated for similar installations within Noosa Shire.
While trials elsewhere have 'demonstrated lifesaving potential', it should be acknowledged
installation of this equipment by Council gives rise to consideration of duty of care, liability exposure,
precedent, cost implications of program expansion, risk appetite and tolerance, and reputational risk.
While the likelihood of a serious incident such as a bystander death is low, the potential
consequences for Council should a serious incident occur are significant. Proceeding with a trial
would require Council to accept a higher risk appetite and tolerance than its current policy position
and a broader roll out would involve significant cost.
Given Surf Lifesaving Queensland’s statewide roll out and the trial currently underway in the Noosa
National Park, it is recommended Council defer operating its own trial to facilitate monitoring and
assessment of existing trials and support SLSQ and surf clubs with their funded and managed
initiatives in accordance with Option 2 of the report.
This approach mitigates immediate legal, financial, and operational risks, aligns with Council’s zero-
tolerance position on health and safety and minimal tolerance for legal compliance risks, and
supports the principles of evidence-based decision making and good governance.


RECOMMENDATION
That Council
A. Note the report by the Acting Local Laws and Environmental Health Manager to the General
   Committee dated 19 January 2026
B. Support Surf Lifesaving Queensland as the State’s peak coastal safety authority and Surf
   Lifesaving Clubs with their funded and managed roll out programs; and
C. Defer the implementation of a Council managed trial of remote rescue tubes and life rings at
   unpatrolled beach locations until:
        1.      The risks associated with current trials and any emerging issues at Noosa National
        Park, as well as programs elsewhere in Australia and overseas, have been critically evaluated
        by Council; and
        2.      An appropriate evidence-based management strategy has been developed to
        manage those risks and issues (detailed as Option 2 in the report).




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