Council throws lifeguards a lifeline
Tue 22 May 2007
Michelle McLochlan, Journalism
A new lifeguard tower was unveiled at Maroochydore beach after Maroochydore Surf Life Saving club and Maroochy Council conceded the old one was on its last legs.
The $65,000 project was built in response to the dismal state of the Club’s original tower that was built in 1982.
Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club General manager Kerry Taylor said the old tower attached to the clubhouse was literally falling down.
“It was corroding and rusting (because) it was exposed to the environment,” Mr Taylor said.
Negotiations to have a new surveillance tower replace the 25-year-old hazard started just nine months ago in July 2006.
Maroochy Councillor Mick Hourigan admitted the project should have been built earlier.
“It probably should have been but it was only brought to my attention last year,” Cr Hourigan said.
Cr Hourigan also said the new tower would survive environmental impact without being knocked over, and improved the safety of beachgoers and lifeguards.
“Safety is the number one concern here,” Cr Hourigan said.
The boardwalk surrounding the tower is made of recycled materials including telegraph poles.
Maroochy chief lifeguard Heath Collie said the new tower was definitely a safer environment for lifeguards.
“The (previous) accommodation provided for the lifeguards wasn’t the greatest asset for them,” Mr Collie said.
He said the agreement and building of the tower was the most significant project between Maroochy surf life saving club and Maroochy Council.
“This is the biggest capital project between the club and the council compared to the normal discussions (of) shared patrol duties,” Mr Collie said.
The new tower is 15 metres in front of the old one, providing better surveillance and visibility to Maroochy beach, Alexandra Headland and the Maroochy river mouth.
“Maroochy beach had a higher occurrence of rescues compared to other beaches,” Mr Collie said.
Lifeguards performed an average of eight rescues per month since the start of the year.
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