Waverley focuses on improving beach management and safety

17 August 2018

17 August 2018

Waverley focuses on improving beach management and safety

Waverley Council would like to thank the community for participating in the Waverley Lifeguard Service Risk Review survey.

The 3500 or so responses received will contribute significantly to our understanding of how people use our iconic Bondi Beach and our other beaches.

The survey was developed after a unanimous resolution of Council in March 2018 to consult with the community on a number of items relating to beach use, safety and amenity. The report on the survey findings is due for completion mid-next month, and forms part of our annual risk review of beach management and safety at Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches.

New General Manager, Ross McLeod, has instructed specialist risk staff to review the current risk profile and survey work being carried out and provide support to lifeguard staff. Additional external peer review assistance will also be engaged to assist.

“Our focus on risk management provides us with the perfect opportunity to review current beach operations and how they can most effectively integrate the work of Waverley’s four Surf Clubs,” Mr McLeod said.

“All four clubs have indicated their willingness to participate in a ‘Surf Safety Summit’ meeting with Lifeguards and other relevant staff before the beginning of summer to ensure a better coordinated approach to beach safety.

“Council has some very good frontline staff, and there are also first-class volunteers giving their time through the surf clubs. Our focus is on supporting those people to do an even better job than the fine work they do now.”

Past lifeguard service reviews have led to several safety improvements for our lifeguard service including the installation last year of a portable lifeguard tower at North Bondi, additional lifeguards and improved rostering.

The Council would like to reassure the community that there is no Council proposal to ban surfing at Bondi Beach nor was there ever such a proposal.

We do, however, acknowledge that the wording of the original survey was misleading and did not reflect the intention of Council’s resolution, and for that, we apologise for any concerns created.

Council will use the survey results and risk profile work to:

  • work with its lifeguards to improve operational practices focussed on beach safety and managing risk
  • improve safety monitoring and data collection
  • ensure frontline staff have all the equipment, systems and regulatory back-up they need to keep people safe.