No paid lifesavers this summer - Eurobodalla

29.07.2010

There will be no paid lifesavers on Eurobodalla beaches this summer.For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.

While private talks were set down for yesterday afternoon between Eurobodalla Shire Council and surf lifesaving representatives, Mayor Fergus Thomson indicated council had already made up its mind.

Council included the lifesaving contract on a list of services it was considering cutting to make up for a $1 million shortfall in this year's budget.

That proposal was the subject of the first speaker at yesterday's pre-meeting Public Forum. Bruce Frost, of Narooma, who is president of the Far South Coast Surf Lifesaving Association, urged council to not consider that option.

There was only one place safe to surf, he said, and that was between flags on patrolled beaches.

If council decided not to employ lifesavers it would mean that beaches would not be safe to swim from during the week. Volunteer lifesavers were at work then, or involved in their own businesses, he said. Volunteers couldn't make up the shortfall...they couldn't do any more.

"I hope no lives are lost because of this decision by council," Mr Frost added.

"People of the Eurobodalla Shire rely on tourists for much of their business, and many of those tourists are attracted to the beaches of our area. If the decision not to employ lifeguards is taken that will mean there will be no safe patrolled swimming place at Eurobodalla Shire beaches during the week at the busiest time of the year."

He told councillors that during last summer members of the shire's four surf lifesaving clubs had put in nearly 10,000 hours on the beaches. They had found 22 lost children, given advice to swimmers, rendered first aid to 142 people and carried out 72 rescues.

"Our volunteers can't do any more," Mr Frost said. "The lifeguards you have employed in the past are the elite of our organisation. We need them on our beaches this summer."