PREMIER MARKS QLD BEACH OPENING WITH $1.7M BOOST FOR LIFESAVERS

Premier Anna Bligh was on the Sunshine Coast today to mark the first day of Summer volunteer beach patrols with a fresh injection of funding for Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ).

Ms Bligh presented a cheque for $1.7 million to SLSQ’s Lifesaving Services Manager George Hill during the official launch of the volunteer patrol season at Kings Beach, delivering the latest instalment of a 2006 election commitment for $6.8 million over four years.

“Queensland’s beaches are some of the State’s greatest assets, and our surf lifesavers play a vital role in helping the millions of Queensland residents and visitors each year enjoy them in safety,” Premier Bligh said.

“This funding package comes on top of the extensive funding we already provide, and is specifically aimed at helping clubs enhance existing services, expand to new areas, and better equip their volunteers.”

Ms Bligh said $100,000 of the annual funding goes towards helping SLSQ pay volunteers workers compensation premiums, bringing the Government’s total contribution in that area to $352,500 a year.

“The remaining $1.6 million is then administered as grants to individual clubs with specific needs, as well as for SLSQ’s State Support Group,” she said.

“This commitment is already having a real impact in improving safety on our beaches. For example, during the last funding round more than 40 clubs received funding for a range of equipment – from marine stinger kits and drag nets, to defibrillators, rescue boards, and new motors for rescue boats.

“2007 is the Year of the Lifesaver and with Queensland beaches officially open for business today, I cannot think of a better way to kick off the busy Summer season,” Ms Bligh said.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said each year, Surf Life Saving Queensland and its 23,000 volunteers did a tremendous job keeping beachgoers safe.

“From today, daily lifesaver patrols and the famous red and yellow flags will be present on 84 beaches across Queensland, stretching over 6,000km of coastline,” Ms Boyle said.

“Queensland has a reputation for some of the most beautiful beaches and coastline in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

“With this comes a responsibility to keep people safe and Tourism Queensland, Surf Life Saving Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council have established a Safety Ambassador program to further promote this message to both tourism operators and visitors alike.

“As the new Tourism Minister, I am proud they have appointed me the first official Ambassador for the program and I look forward to actively spreading the surf safety message,” she said.

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3225 1005 (Minister Boyle’s office)