As flood relief efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred remain ongoing, volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards are imploring the public to take safety seriously, with the use of rescue water craft likely to be significantly hampered ahead of the weekend.
Hazardous surf conditions have eroded significant swathes of the coastline in many locations, particularly in the state’s north, causing beach access issues for clubs and volunteers who are currently planning what their patrols will look like this weekend.
Also posing a risk is water quality and the amount of debris coming out of river systems into the ocean which is further complicating the ability of lifesavers to respond to incidents or emergencies.
Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Richmond and Clarence LGAs are the worst affected, however impacts to patrols and rescue response capability could extend down to Port Macquarie.
Other risks
Along with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting temperatures in the mid 30s for regions including the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney on Sunday, there’s the potential for a perfect storm of conditions that will mean visiting our coastline is more dangerous than usual.
SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce is reminding the public to be extremely careful and avoid visiting the beach, including sightseeing at exposed locations and rock platforms along the coast.
‘We are expecting an incredibly busy weekend for our volunteers and for these extreme temperatures to come about while the clean up continues from a major weather event is very bad timing,’ he said.
‘In many locations where the beaches have been washed away by damaging surf, we simply will not be able to launch rescue water craft as easily or as quickly in the event of an emergency.
‘Please, whatever you do, follow the advice of our lifesavers and lifeguards this weekend, check BeachSafe before you visit the coastline and do not go in the water unless you are at a patrolled location between the red and yellow flags.’
SLSNSW say they will continue to work closely with the NSW government and coastal councils to ensure volunteers are equipped and prepared to provide appropriate rescue response in regions impacted by the cyclone.
It comes as a second wave of SLSNSW volunteer Strike Teams made the trip north yesterday to relieve volunteers who have been stationed in the field throughout northern NSW.
SLSNSW volunteers have been supporting the SES and affected communities for several days, and will continue with flood response work into the weekend.
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