KINGSCLIFF is set to get a second lifeguard patrol area during this year’s summer holidays.
A new patrol will be trialled at North Kingscliff near the northern Kingscliff Caravan Park from 19 December to 12 January.
“We are aware of growing usage, both as the Kingscliff North Holiday Park becomes more popular and also with locals in that area,” Tweed Coast Holiday Parks executive manager Richard Adams said.
“There appears to be more swimmers using this part of the beach rather than the patrolled beach 2km south.
“That raises concerns about public safety. But we only have anecdotal reports of increased numbers using the Kingscliff North beach and this trial will assess whether these numbers justify a beach patrol service.”
Tweed Coast Holiday Parks will conduct the trial in conjunction with the Australian Lifeguard Services, which Tweed Shire Council already contracts to operate lifeguard patrols at the Kingscliff/Cudgen, Casuarina, Duranbah, Fingal Head, Cabarita Beach, Salt, Hastings Point and Pottsville beaches.
The trial patrol at Kingscliff North will operate from 9am to 6pm and the lifeguards will record statistics about beach usage, any preventative actions, rescues and other assistance they provide.
“At the end of the trial, the service will provide the Tweed Coast Holiday Parks and Tweed Shire Council with a formal report and recommendations about whether it’s justified to have permanent patrols there,” Mr Adams said.
“We would then need to look at how this additional service could be funded.
“We encourage people to use the beach safely by swimming between the flags during the patrol periods.”
The locations of each patrolled beach in the Tweed and when patrols operate is available by visiting www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Beaches.
