Lifeguard services will be expanded at a Sunshine Coast beach after a “growing number of incidents” there.
There will be more patrols at Happy Valley but less monitoring of neighbouring Bulcock Beach at Caloundra.
The former will move from Tier 4 (patrolled during weekends and school and public holidays from September to May) to Tier 2 (seasonal service patrolled seven days a week from September holidays to early May, plus weekends and school and public holidays during winter). Meanwhile, Bulcock Beach will shift from Tier 2 to Tier 4.
It comes after a assessment was conducted in accordance with the Australian Beach Safety and Management Program rating.
The changes were trialled during the Christmas holiday period and will now continue, with signage to be updated to reflect the new arrangements.
Councillor Terry Landsberg said it had been a busy holiday season and, with the foreshore generally protected from large surf and large sand bars exposed at low tide, Happy Valley continued to draw an increasing number of swimmers.
“In previous years, a Tier 4 service level was provided, only covering weekends (and) school and public holidays,” Cr Landsberg said.
“With the changes to the landscape, increased visitation and growing number of incidents over the last few months, we decided to maintain a higher of service in this location.”
SLSQ regional operations manager Aaron Purchase said the change to services was a proactive step by council and SLSQ to increase safety in the area.
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“The use of the patrol flags will make it easier for the public to identify the best place to swim in the area and will, in turn, make it easier for Lifeguards to manage the area,” he said.
The council delivers patrol services, with more than 120 professional lifeguards across permanent, part-time and casual positions covering 21 beach locations, from North Coolum to Bulcock Beach. It also provides the professional lifeguards with equipment they need to perform their duties including jet skis, rescue boards, flags and first aid kits.
Volunteer lifesavers patrol beaches every weekend and on public holidays from 7am to 5pm during the summer season. This supports lifeguard patrols that occur year-round.
