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The Coastal Safety Group (CSG) has released its inaugural end-of-year report for 2023/24, highlighting the invaluable contributions of local government lifeguarding services and calling for increased investment to address the rising number of coastal drownings in New South Wales.

Covering the 2023/24 patrolling season, the newly released report shows that NSW Local Government lifeguards patrolled 89 beaches, conducting over 16,800 patrol days and performing 7,352 rescues. The report underscores the social and economic impact of lifeguarding services. Local Government lifeguards alone generated over $4.5 billion in value to the community, delivering a return of $119 for every $1 invested, through lives saved and critical injuries prevented.

Call for Expanded Support to Tackle Rising Drowning Rates
Despite these efforts, NSW saw a continued rise in coastal drowning, with 61 deaths recorded - the highest of any state in Australia and 33% above the 10-year average.

Refencing the National Coastal Drowning Report 2024, 66% of these drowning events occurred more than 1km away from a lifesaving service, 50% in regional/remote locations and 100% outside of the flagged areas emphasizing the urgent need for expanded patrols in currently unpatrolled areas.

Explaining the need for improved resources, Anthony Blunden, Secretary of the Coastal Safety Group, stated “if we are to reduce the burden of coastal drowning, we must turn our attention to currently unpatrolled areas and unpatrolled times where these drowning events are occurring.

“A properly trained and equipped lifeguard service is the only risk mitigator that reduces both the likelihood and consequence of someone getting into trouble in the water."

The CSG is advocating for increased government support to extend lifeguard services to high-risk areas noting that the NSW Government’s recently announced record $72 million investment over four years for the Surf Life Saving movement is not available to local government services.

The CSG report highlights that a modest investment of $413,555 could fund a full season of lifeguard services at a new location, offering protection at currently unpatrolled beaches.

Key Highlights from the 2023/24 Season:

• 16,827 patrol days by Local Government lifeguards
• 7,352 rescues performed
• More than $32 million invested by Local Government
• $4.5 billion in community value generated

The Coastal Safety Group
Incorporated in March 2024, the Coastal Safety Group is a network of coastal land managers with a mission to facilitate collaboration amongst coastal water safety managers and to advocate on their behalf. The Group aims to develop best practice processes and tools, provide collaborative opportunities and to be a voice for advocacy. Ultimately the Group aims to provide safer beaches for the public.

For more information, or to support the Coastal Safety Group, visit www.coastalsafetygroup.com.au

Image: A professional local government lifeguard on patrol. Credit: Coastal Safety Group.

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