Open Council is in active development and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Noosa Council. The data shown may be incomplete or incorrect — always check Council's own published documents before relying on it.

Open Council Noosa
Sign in

PEREGIAN BEACH SURF LIFESAVING CLUB - FUNDING REQUEST AND UPDATE ON OPERATIONS (REFERRED FROM SERVICES & ORGANISATION DATED 12 NOVEMBER 2024)

Property Manager, Clint Irwin · Property | Development & Regulation Department

Executive summary

At the April 2022 Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to enter into negotiations for a 10 year lease to Peregian Beach SLSC (PBSLSC) over Lot 165 MCH5180 (the whole building and surrounds). The intent of the lease was to provide security of tenure to allow the club to establish operations and beach patrolling capacity. Given PBSLSC did not have capacity to undertake full weekend and public holiday beach patrols within the September to May patrolling season, Council resolved to fund SLSQ contract lifeguards to patrol Saturdays and public holidays for a three year period. This enabled PBSLSC to patrol Sundays while it focused on establishing operations. Council’s three year funding arrangement expires in May 2025 and PBSLSC has requested a further two year funding commitment from Council with the club again proposing to provide services on Sundays and additionally all public holidays falling within the September to May season equating to an extra 11 days over the period. This report recommends Council support consideration of the two year funding proposal as part of the 2025-2026 budget deliberations which will assist PBSLSC to continue to build capacity. This report also recommends PBSLSC submit a Building Works Plan to allow a coordinated approach to maintenance and development between the new club committee and Council and an updated Strategic Plan given the current plan expires in 2025. PBSLSC have also raised concerns with the amenity and impact of the Village Square bin storage area and drainage and stormwater issues which are also impacting club operations. It is recommended Council investigate these issues and work towards an appropriate outcome in consultation with PBSLSC.

Recommendation

That Council note the report by the Property Manager, Development and Regulation to the Services and Organisation Committee dated 12 November 2024 and: A. Agree to consider as part of the 2025-2026 budget deliberations the allocation of $46,000 per annum plus CPI for a total of two years commencing 2025-2026 to fund SLSQ contract lifeguard services on Saturdays only in the September to May surf lifesaving patrol season for the purposes of providing lifesaving service continuity at Peregian Beach subject to the Lessee: 1. Providing annual reporting of progress toward establishment of the new Peregian Beach SLSC for a further two years of operations; 2. Submitting an updated 3 year Strategic Plan endorsed by Surf Lifesaving Queensland prior to 30 June 2025; 3. Submitting a Building Works Plan prior to 30 June 2025 detailing proposed club building works including major maintenance, renovation and extension works for the remainder of the current lease period 4. Agreeing that opportunities for ratepayer financial support will be by application through Council’s community grants program and no commitment is provided by Council for direct ratepayer financial support 5. Agreeing that building maintenance will be at Council’s discretion subject to Council’s independent assessment and asset maintenance planning.

  1. Note that any future PBSLSC proposal to assume responsibility for all patrolling days in the September to May lifesaving season will be subject to approval by Surf Lifesaving Queensland;
  2. Note Peregian Beach Surf Lifesaving Club’s request to increase Junior Activities (Nippers) enrolments subject to Surf Lifesaving Queensland approval;
  3. Authorise the CEO to:
  4. Monitor operation of the bin storage area located adjacent to Peregian Beach SLSC and investigate short and long term options to manage the impacts of the area to improve club amenity;
  5. Examine stormwater and drainage issues currently impacting club operations; and
  6. Agree that requests for funding resulting from the bin storage and drainage and stormwater investigations will be referred to future budget deliberations as appropriate.

Report

Purpose The purpose of this report is to provide an update on Peregian Beach Surf Lifesaving Club operations and seek Council funding for a further two year period to support Peregian Beach SLSC's efforts to establish full beach patrol services.

Background

At the April 2022 Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to enter into negotiations for a 10 year lease with Peregian Beach Surf Lifesaving Club (PBSLSC). The intent of the lease was to provide security of tenure to allow the club to establish operations, beach patrols and associated activities. The granting of the lease to PBSLSC followed a three year period of management by Surf Lifesaving Sunshine Coast (see July 2019 Services and Organisation Meeting, Item 3, Page 20) and an earlier period of management by Noosa Heads SLSC which assumed responsibility for beach patrols and club operations following PBSLSC’s failure in 2014 (see October 2014 Planning and Organisation Meeting, Item 7, Page 42).

PBSLSC Progress Towards Establishment of New Club

Despite the challenges posed in establishing the new club, PBSLSC has continued to make steady progress towards building lifesaving operations, beach patrols and the supporting activities required to ensure the club’s ongoing viability. PBSLSC has detailed its achievements

in its 2023-2024 Annual Report which is attached to this report (see Attachment 1). The club notes its success is due to its focus on four essential lifesaving areas, which include: • Providing a safe bathing environment; • Increasing patrolling membership; • Building a strong nipper program; and • Prudent financial management. The report details the club’s achievements and key statistics for the 2023-2024 season, which include: •

active patrolling members across 5 patrols (16% decrease from last season) • Continuing patrol support from the Brisbane Lifesaving Service to form a 6th patrol team with further volunteer contributions from members from other Sunshine Coast clubs •

total members (13% increase from last season) •

children enrolled in nipper program (19% increase from previous season) • Improved financial performance reflecting increased income and expenditure control

Progress Towards Full Weekend and Public Holiday Patrols At the April 2022 Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to fund SLSQ contract lifeguard services on Saturdays and public holidays in the surf lifesaving season for a three year period. Accordingly, PBSLSC has undertaken patrols on the remaining Sundays. Given Council’s funding commitment ceases in May at the end of 2024 - 2025 patrolling season, Council officers met with PBSLSC committee members and SLSQ on 10 July 2024, to seek an update regarding the club’s progress towards full weekend and public holiday patrols for the 2025-

September to May patrolling season. While PBSLSC is ultimately committed to providing full patrol services, the club’s position is that it is not yet ready to provide this service level and SLSQ and Council's Property officers acknowledge the current situation. Any future PBSLSC proposal to progress to full patrol services will need to be approved by SLSQ and consider a number of factors including: • The number of active patrolling members required to sustainably provide full patrol services requires potentially 120 patrolling members (the club currently has 75 active patrolling members); • Capacity of the club to train more lifesavers across all award requirements including patrols, rescue techniques, patient care, beach management and utilising rescue equipment; and • Span of beach area under responsibility, projected increases to SE Queensland population and increasing beach visitation trends. In recognition of the upcoming cessation of Council’s funding commitment, PBSLSC has requested Council funding for a further two year period from September 2025. In addition to Sundays, PBSLSC propose to patrol the 11 public holidays falling within the September to May lifesaving season. It should also be noted PBSLSC have committed to providing the extra public holiday coverage for this current season. The existing Council funding agreement does not compel the club to patrol the public holidays however, the club has voluntarily accepted responsibility and have committed to providing these services ahead of the proposed new Council funding agreement commencing next year.

State Government Funding In May 2024, the State Government announced a new 10 year funding package for Queensland Surf Lifesaving Clubs (see https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100375). SLSQ had previously undertaken an infrastructure needs assessment with PBSLSC ranking highly in that review. As a result of this needs assessment, PBSLSC received $800,000 which will be used to improve and modernise ground floor member facilities.

Future Building Works Plan At the 10 July PBSLSC meeting, the development of a building works plan was discussed. The purpose of this plan is for the club to identify proposed building works over the remainder of lease period. Early identification of proposed building works will provide Council with an understanding of the new management committee’s direction, identify approval processes to assist the club and allow a coordinated approach to building maintenance and renewal projects proposed by PBSLSC and Council.

Strategic Plan The club’s 2022- 2025 Strategic Plan is a key guiding document providing strategic direction and is crucial to the club’s future success. Given the plan expires in 2025, it is proposed this document is updated prior to 30 June 2025 and before the commencement of the 2025-2026 patrol season to allow sufficient time for SLSQ review and endorsement prior to season commencement.

Junior Activities (Nippers) The nipper program continues to be successful with 198 children enrolled for the 2023-2024 season. At the 10 July meeting, PBSLSC sought permission to increase numbers above 200 for forthcoming seasons. Council officers have no objection to the proposal subject to SLSQ approval

Infrastructure, Renewal and Operational Expenses PBSLSC may continue to require Council support with major infrastructure and renewal and operational expenses during the next few years of operations. Opportunities for ratepayer financial support will be considered by application through Council’s community grants program and building maintenance will be at Council’s discretion subject to its independent assessment and asset maintenance planning.

Bin Storage Area A bin storage area servicing the Village Square is located on the southern side of the clubhouse and

adjacent to public amenities (see Attachment 2). Feedback from PBSLSC and the community indicates the type of waste (specifically food waste) and its use as a domestic waste facility present significant amenity impacts for the club given its proximity to the bin storage area. Council conducted a site visit earlier this year and implemented a range of actions in response to club complaints regarding the storage area. This report recommends Council continue to monitor operation of the bin storage area located adjacent to Peregian Beach SLSC and investigate short and long term options to manage the impacts of the area to improve club amenity.

Drainage and Stormwater issues PBSLSC have identified stormwater and drainage issues which are presenting challenges to their operation. Council officers were advised there is water ingress into the bottom floor of building from the carpark on the western side of the club from rainfall. Excessive water ponding has been observed in Peregian Beach Park by club members which anecdotally results from poor drainage. This report recommends both issues are subject to further investigation by Council.

ConclusionSurf Lifesaving Clubs are part of the fabric of the Australian community and provide a range of benefits to its members and to the broader community. PBSLSC have proposed an incremental increase to patrol services with operations supported by grants and modest income streams. Council funded SLSQ contract lifeguard services will support club operations during the club’s establishment phase by allowing the club to provide the appropriate number of members on each patrol without unsustainably straining available resources and increasing the likelihood of club failure. There may be future community interest regarding the timing of the club providing full patrol services within the September to May season. While acknowledging the importance of community safety and club sustainability, the path to full service provision is not formulaic and will require decision makers to be pragmatic and realistic given new surf club establishment is an uncommon occurrence and the factors influencing each surf club’s development are unique. The development of a Future Building Works Plan and update of the club’s Strategic Plan are key actions which will provide strategic direction and pave the way for future club success. SLSQ remain available to support the club’s endeavours and support the current management committee who seek to build on the success of the previous committee. Council’s foremost priority remains beach safety. If PBSLSC is unsuccessful in its attempts to reform, Council will be obliged to provide lifeguards via SLSQ contract lifeguard services 365 days per year to ensure a safe bathing and beach environment is maintained.

Report details

Index: 35.01 - Management of Lifeguard Contract