Council endorses future life saving strategy

THE Surf Coast Shire hopes to improve collaboration between agencies and surf life saving clubs with a new strategic plan.

“The Future of Life Saving in Surf Coast Shire” report was endorsed by councillors at their meeting last week.

The project’s purpose is to create a strategic framework to guide the future provision, use, management and investment in the development of surf life saving and associated clubs, facilities and services in the shire.

Developed with Life Saving Victoria, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and the Victorian government, the strategy includes a series of actions developed through working with local clubs and more than 400 Surf Coast residents.

Research conducted as part of the survey found surf life saving clubs are central to the culture, experience and community life of the Surf Coast, while surf life saving activities are strongly supported by the community.

The report concluded that there is no need for new clubs before 2025 and that the emphasis over the next decade should be on consolidating existing services, while possibly expanding existing clubs’ outpost services.

to simplify legislative, leasing and land use requirements for surf life saving clubs through co-operation between government agencies.

As part of their endorsement, councillors will receive a progress report on the strategy’s implementation within 12 months so the council life saving.

Cr David Bell said surf life saving was an important part of the community from the council’s radar” because of the clubs’ position on Crown land.

“This is not the end, but the start of a new relationship.”

Victoria’s largest and most active clubs, but the clubs had traditionally struggled to upgrade their facilities.

“There are a number of agencies with decision making powers and it can be challenging to come how we do that.”

A round table including representatives from local clubs, the council, Surf Life Saving Victoria, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will be convened to implement the strategy. To view the strategy, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au.