People wanting to enjoy the surf on Central Coast beaches this Australia Day Long Weekend will do so more safely thanks to the Minns Labor Government's fast-tracked installation of emergency response beacons (ERBs).
ERBs directly connect callers to Surf Life Saving NSW's State Operations Centre, enabling the rapid deployment of lifesaving and emergency services to a potential rescue site.
With most fatalities occurring on unpatrolled beaches, this can reduce response times when every second counts.
The Government has installed beacons at three Central Coast beaches - Bateau Bay, Forresters Beach and Frazer Park - as part of its fast-tracked roll out across 19 unpatrolled locations throughout NSW in 2024.
The state-wide installation of these potentially life-saving help points was almost double the number proposed for the year.
Volunteer life savers across NSW have performed more than 300,000 preventative actions to keep beachgoers safe as more than four million people flocked to the surf since 1 December.
The warm weather has encouraged big beach crowds across the state resulting in more than 1,000 rescues, serious incidents requiring lifesaving action, and first aid treatment for more than 6,000 people in the first month of summer.
More than 10% of the state-wide rescues have been performed on the Central Coast this summer, with 124 rescues and 488 preventative actions on the 450,485 people that have flocked to the region's famed beaches since 1 December.
As the holidays continue, the NSW Government is urging those taking advantage of our beautiful coastline to play it safe at the beach with the launch of a new online water safety hub.
The hub complements the efforts of life savers by bringing together essential water safety information, featuring tips and guidance from key organisations across NSW to help communities stay informed and safe around the state's stunning waterways.
Beacons installed in 2024 are now in place at the following locations:
- Central Coast: Bateau Bay, Forresters Beach, Frazer Park
- Northern Beaches: Narrabeen Beach, South Curl Curl, Fishermans Beach, North Palm Beach, Turimetta Beach
- Sydney: Brighton-Le-Sands, Dolls Point, Gordons Bay, Lake Parramatta, Mahon Pool
- Hunter: Moonee Beach
- Illawarra: Woonona Pool, Austinmer
- Far South Coast: Bar Beach Merimbula, Camel Rock, Pambula River Mouth.
The next generation of beacons are also being rolled out, with 15 expected to be installed during 2025 at key locations up and down the NSW coast.
The new beacons are fitted with flotation devices and enhanced technology like high-definition video live-streaming to provide another set of eyes on the beach.
Currently, there are 53 ERBs strategically located at beaches frequented by both locals and tourists, ensuring quick access to emergency assistance.
The beacons are part of the NSW Government's record $72 million additional investment in Surf Life Saving NSW.
Alongside the ERBs, the NSW Government is delivering 67 jet skis over four years, with 14 delivered to beaches along the state's coastline for the summer.
The NSW Government continues to work in partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW, local councils and community organisations to deliver initiatives that keep residents and visitors safe.
Visit the water safety hub at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/visiting-nsw-waterways
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Our investment in this life saving technology is a significant step forward in ensuring the safety of all beachgoers across NSW.
"These new emergency response beacons, along with our education programs and simple to use tools like the water safety hub, are here to provide a crucial safety net for communities across NSW, especially for those who are most at risk.
"We are building on the 53 Emergency Response Beacons installed across our beaches, backed by a record $72 million investment in Surf Life Saving NSW.
"With the holiday season continuing, I urge everyone to stay vigilant, follow the guidance of our lifesavers and enjoy our stunning coastline safely."
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said:
"The Central Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the state, and the installation of emergency service beacons as part of the Minns Labor Government's record investment in Surf Life Saving NSW ensure they can be enjoyed safely by everyone.
"This investment also gives our wonderful surf lifesaver volunteers more of the top class life-saving facilities they need."
Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said:
"There's no better place to be in summer than at the beach, but we want everyone to be safe while enjoying our beautiful coastline.
"Not all beaches are patrolled, which is why these beacons are so important.
"They provide direct contact to Surf Lifesaving NSW from unpatrolled beaches like Moonee Beach and Frazer Park, helping to reduce emergency response times when every second counts."
Member for The Entrance David Mehan MP said:
"Bateau Bay is a magnet for both locals and visitors and we want to make sure people can enjoy them safely. The installation of beacons is a welcome addition to provide another set of eyes on our beaches and waterways to assist our lifeguards."
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said:
"We've had an extremely busy holiday period on beaches across the state and are expecting the tempo to remain high for the remainder of the summer. The crowds do put pressure on our volunteers.
"Swimming between the red and yellow flags isn't just a smart choice - it's a lifesaver. No drownings have occurred at patrolled locations during patrol hours, so staying where lifesavers and lifeguards can see you is the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
"We're urging beachgoers to take heed of those basic safety messages; don't swim at unpatrolled locations - look for the red and yellow flags because if our lifesavers can't see you, they can't save you - and understand your limits when entering the ocean."
