Patrols the priority for NSW clubs

A NORTHERN NSW lifesaving boss says he feels a “niggle” watching rivers of gold flow into some Glitter Strip surf life saving clubs.

Tourism bigwig Terry Jackman launched a scathing attack on the new $15 million Kurrawa Surf Club yesterday.

Mr Jackman said he feared its construction set a “dangerous trend” for the movement.

Just south of the Queensland border, Surf Life Saving Far North Coast branch president Wilson Cregan said if

clubs in his region had the cash Gold Coast “superclubs” had he would spend it directly on additional patrols, rather than restaurants and entertainment areas.

“I’m a traditionalist, patrols come first,” Mr Cregan said.

“With $15 million we would increase our presence across the region. It would all be put towards surf life saving.”

Following a horror run of shark attacks and drownings in northern NSW, Mr Cregan said volunteers in his region were running flat strap to try and keep beaches safe.

“The primary function of a surf life saving club is to patrol the beaches,” Mr Cregan said.

“It’s a bit of a niggle, we’re under a lot of pressure here with so many increasingly popular beaches at Ballina, Brunswick and Kingscliff.”

Mr Cregan said it was also hard to see Kurrawa knock down their functional surf club to build a brand new $15 million development while clubs in his region were in bad shape.