Beach numbering to boost surf safety

Finding the right beach on the Sunshine Coast will soon be as easy as one, two, three.

A uniform beach accessing numbering system is set to be implemented by Sunshine Coast Council from Teewah Beach in the north, to Bells Creek in the south. The new numbering system was developed in response to an audit produced for council by Surf Life Saving Queensland.

Corporate Planning and Performance Portfolio Councillor Tim Dwyer said the new system would improve safety at local beaches.

"Council will replace the three numbering systems that were used to identify beach access points across the Sunshine Coast with one consecutive system to eliminate confusion and make it easier for emergency service crews to find precise locations faster," he said.

"Having a uniform sequential numbering system will also provide convenience and ease of reference for the general public who enjoy the Sunshine Coast’s wonderful beaches.

"The new system has the support of Surf Life Saving Queensland along with emergency service organisations and they will be provided with the GPS coordinates for the new beach access numbers.

"Only the individual numbers for the beach access will change, not the physical location of existing beach accesses."

Council conducted comprehensive consultation and gained the support and approval for its new beach access numbering system from the following key organisations:

• Sunshine Coast District Police
• Queensland Ambulance Service
• Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (North Coast Region)
• Emergency Management Queensland
• Surf Life Saving Queensland

The following organisations have been informed about the change to a new beach access numbering system:

• Coast care groups
• Surf clubs
• Coast guards
• Visitor information centres
• Chambers of commerce
• Relevant government departments

Queensland Ambulance Service (North Coast Region), Paul Shaw said the new beach access numbering system was a positive change.

"Having a sequential numbering reference system for such a long stretch of coastline is certain to make our job of locating emergencies a lot easier," he said.

"Every second is crucial in emergency situations and I am confident that this new system will enable us to save time when we are called to beach locations."

Council has developed a comprehensive table and maps of the northern, central and southern beaches detailing locations of the new numbers. A downloadable map can also be found on council’s website. Public displays informing residents of the change are located at the following council venues:

• Caloundra Office (1 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra)
• Maroochydore Office (11-13 Ocean Street, Maroochydore)
• Tewantin Office (9 Pelican Street, Tewantin)
• Caloundra Library (Omrah Avenue, Caloundra)
• Coolum Library (Park Street, Coolum)
• Kawana Library (Nanyima Street, Buddina)
• Maroochy Library (44 Sixth Avenue, Cotton Tree)
• Noosa Library (Wallace Drive, Noosaville)
• Flyers will also be available from council's Nambour office and hinterland libraries

UBD and GPS providers have been informed about the new beach access numbering system. Council will commence installation of the new signs after Easter 2011 and will work closely with emergency services to coordinate information while works are in progress.