City of Coffs Harbour Council has moved to clarify claims its beach lifeguard workforce is chronically understaffed.
Council and the union representing Coffs Harbour lifeguards appeared before the Industrial Relations Commission last Thursday, with both parties agreeing to work to resolve staffing issues raised by local lifesavers.
The United Services Union claims there are just six permanent lifeguards available to patrol the region’s 60-kilometre coastline – leaving a shortfall of eight positions.
The Council provides patrol services at Park Beach, Sawtell Beach, Diggers Beach, Emerald Beach, Woolgoogla Beach, Red Rock Beach and Jetty Beach. Park Beach, Coffs Harbour’s main surf beach, is patrolled seven days a week throughout the year.
“It has been difficult to comment as the matter has been before the Industrial Relations Commission, however we need to address some inaccurate information,” said Council Acting General Manager, Andrew Beswick.
“The union’s claim that there are currently eight unfilled positions in the City’s lifeguard service is incorrect,” said Acting Director City Planning and Communities, Ian Fitzgibbon.
Mr Fitzgibbon said current lifeguard service resourcing and associated arrangements had been determined for some time, despite claims in the media to the contrary.
“All permanent roles are occupied and as of mid-November, we have in excess of 20 casuals engaged to ensure adequate coverage for the agreed patrol hours over the lifeguarding season. This includes an additional lifeguard at Park and Sawtell beaches for the peak holiday period,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“The City has driven major recruitment campaigns, including in the current year and in 2023-24 and this has resulted in the City having at least seven more casual employees available than for the previous season.”
The Council has a projected expenditure in lifeguard services this financial year of $1.045 million – an increase of more than 24% over the last two years.
The City operates in accordance with the Local Government State Award and the proposed roster for the 2024-25 peak season provides that our lifeguards are not rostered on for more than five consecutive days, said Mr Fitzgibbon.
He noted that lifeguard patrol locations and season dates were informed by beach visitation and service coverage by volunteer Surf Life Saving Clubs.
The Council says it has also made significant current investment in lifeguard service infrastructure, including a new patrol tower at Park Beach, with a new tower at Sawtell to come online this financial year.
It has also facilitated a remote rescue tube project.
“We are also providing additional qualifications and competency training to all levels of lifeguards, including casuals, to ensure ongoing flexibility within the team,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Legal counsel representing Council in the Industrial Relations Court hearing agreed to work with the union to resolve on-call rostering arrangements, which it conceded were not “best practice”.
