26.51. LGS SSC 051 Subordinate Local Laws and Escalations – Sunshine Coast

Introduction

Local laws help to regulate a range of activities to ensure the good governance, health and safety of communities and address issues such as but not limited to animal control and bathing reserves.

Procedure

For local law issues that could arise in the bathing areas and reserves. Lifeguards are to firstly communicate, educate about the local law and provide a warning. If the behaviour or action continues then escalate the issue to Council Local Laws Officers or the Queensland Police Service.

The basic procedure for the application of regulations follows the same basic format:

1. Communicate: Identify yourself and authority
2. Inform/Educate: Provide information
3. Advise: Identify preferred course of action
4. Issue Warning(s): Warn patron of possible consequences for actions
5. Apply Penalty: Apply penalty within authority (via police/ local laws officer)
   

The following are the main issues in the bathing areas and reserves:

• Dogs
• Surf board riders
• Power craft
• Drones / UAVS
  

Each issue above can be dealt with by following the below step by step approach.

Example: A surfer surfing within the bathing area

Step 1: General PA warning
“May I have your attention please? For public safety I remind you that surfboard riders shall remain outside the black and white quartered flags and swimmers shall remain between the red and yellow flags. Thank you for your cooperation”.

Step 2: Specific PA warning
“May I have your attention please? To the surfer in the yellow wet shirt. For public safety I remind you that surfboard riders shall remain outside the black and white quartered flags. Please remain outside the black and white quartered flags. Thank you for your cooperation”.

Step 3: If possible the lifeguard should board paddle out to communicate and educate the surfer.

Step 4: If the issue is not resolved and the surfer is a danger to your swimmers, remove the swimmers from the water, close the beach and escalate it to Local Laws Officers or the Queensland Police Service. Lifeguards are to inform SurfCom. SurfCom will create an incident report to record the incident. Any photos or evidence should be sent to SurfCom to attach to the incident.

This step by step approach should be followed with the other issues or items listed above. Each item or issue may require a different approach to manage and approach it. Lifeguards should be aware of the local boundaries of the bathing reserves and dog areas. Lifeguards should develop good relationship with Local Laws Officers and develop a regular pattern to check in.

If Lifeguards have a confrontation or conflict arising that could be dangerous, Lifeguards are to try to calm the situation down. If the situation escalates further lifeguards are to call the Queensland Police Service and remove themselves from danger immediately.

Sunshine Coast Council direct phone line for by laws: 0438 844 209

Further Links

LGOM 09 – Surf Craft Management

Sunshine Coast Council Local Laws