BEACHES ARE FREE FOR US ALL – FEE A NO GO ON MY WATCH

A DAY out at the beach with family or friends typifies our enviable Aussie lifestyle.

The Gold Coast’s DNA is embedded in that relaxed, carefree experience.

To hear Surf Lifesaving Queensland even suggest that Aussies should donate $1 each towards their cause, based on some formula that equates to how many volunteer hours the surf lifesaving community puts in, is quite simply – disappointing.

Their “clever” marketing ploy has backfired with the broader community now hearing that they are being asked to pay to use the beach. That may not have been the intent of the campaign but it is definitely how it has been perceived.

I can tell everyone, it will never happen on my watch.

Everyone owns the beaches and through your rates, as well as State funding, they remain the pinnacle of our tourism branding. And they remain free.

To protect the 10 millionplus annual beachgoers, our Council has the largest professional lifeguard service, headed by Chief Lifeguard Warren Young. His presence on our beaches, overseeing the 188-strong crew of lifeguards, has done more for proactive publicity in this city than money can buy.

Even Bondi Rescue tried to imitate us. Surely not ... they are pretenders patrolling a tiny pocket-beach compared to our 55km of world-class ocean beaches.

From Coolie to The Spit, we fund our Council lifeguards to the tune of $10.7 million annually. Money well spent. The men and women in our lifeguard units are brand ambassadors for the Coast, chatting with visitors and locals and promoting not just surf safety but where the best places are for a selfie, hot chips or a cool beer (providing you’re not a kid!)

Away from our paid lifeguard services, the surf lifesaving volunteers – in their red and yellow uniforms – turn up in droves throughout the peak summer period to proudly volunteer for their community.

They do an incredible job, saving lives and teaching thousands of visitors the surf and beach protocols ... all with a smile.

I know many of these volunteers and they are fantastic city ambassadors. I thank each one for their service and urge all Queenslanders to keep supporting them through raffles and lotteries.

It is sad that their tireless community spirit and sense of giving has been tangled up in an ill-conceived $1-for-a-dip marketing push.

So Gold Coasters, slip, slop and slap away and enjoy our 55km of world-class sand without feeling pressured to find a dollar in the glovebox to enjoy it.