Swimmers between the flags of Tathra Beach may not know their safety on weekdays each February relies on charity.
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Lifeguard patrols on weekends are provided by Tathra Surf Life Saving Club volunteers, yet for the majority of the month the safety of swimmers depends on community donations and a successful Southern Phones Mayoral Grant application from the Tathra and District Chamber of Commerce to pay Australian Lifeguard Service’s (ALS) employees.
Now, the chamber is hoping the council comes on board with locked-in ongoing funding.
Mr White said difficulties lay in the uncertainty of the success of the annual grant.
“The grant is not announced until late in the year, which makes it difficult,” campaigner and owner of Tathra Beach Holiday Apartments Rob White said.
“We’ve been trying hard to get council involved and take some responsibility.
“This month is a time when we are advertising our beautiful beaches and the lack of flags on the beach became a concern because the majority of tourists are older people or families with toddlers who need patrolled areas.
“Our visitors all come from inland, don’t necessarily know where the rips are, and know they should swim between the flags,” he said.
Tathra Beachside’s Carmen Risby said February is busy and full of their “most vulnerable tourists”.
“Our town survives on tourist income so I don’t know why council doesn’t come up with at least dollar for dollar funding,” she said.
Council provides lifeguard services via ALS for eight beaches from Boxing Day to Australia Day, a time traditionally considered the peak period for holidaymakers.
According to the ALS, the grant now makes Tathra the only patrolled beach throughout February from Batemans Bay to Victoria.
“Council received a coastal risk assessment as part of a state-wide blueprint designed to map every rock platform along the coast,” ALS manager Brent Manieri said.
“I know council have been working to meeting some of the recommendations and I imagine as we go to tender they will look at a few more of these recommendations moving forward.”
Local businesses Bega Valley Motors, Big 4 Tathra Beach, Tathra Beachside and Tathra Beach House Apartments donated funds to initiate the first extended patrol season last February, and again this year.
Bega Valley Motors’ Leo Papalia said he believes the paid lifeguard period should be officially extended by council to the end of February.
“The season really ends at the end of February so I believe they should be paid to the end of February,” he said.