Noosa Council is calling on the Queensland Government to help fund its lifeguard services, with millions of people using the shire’s beaches each year.
Councillors will consider a formal proposal that aims to reduce coastal drownings at Thursday’s Ordinary Meeting.
Council’s 2025–26 service data recorded 3,732,486 beach attendances, 185 rescues, two drownings, 1936 first-aid treatments and 45,440 preventative actions.
Lifeguard services are delivered externally under contract to Surf Life Saving Queensland, with council responsible for the lifeguard towers and SLSQ providing the other service assets.
The patrol network covers Peregian Beach, Sunshine Beach, Noosa Main Beach and Noosa West as year-round patrols, while Peregian Beach North and Sunrise Beach have seasonal patrols.
At the year-round locations, the scheduled service generally increases during the warmer months, with longer patrol hours during Queensland school holidays. Roving patrols and rescue craft also cover areas including Marcus Beach and the Noosa North Shore campground, subject to weather and the patrol schedule.
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The council report says the lifeguard towers undergo three scheduled workplace-health-and-safety inspections each year, with inspections involving both SLSQ and council personnel. SLSQ is also required to provide monthly activity reporting and an annual report under the Lifeguard Services Agreement.
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