Sonia Hornery Calls for Action in Beresfield Lifeguard Job Losses

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Twelve lifeguards from Beresfield Pool have been sacked following the Council's privatisation deal with BlueFit Aquatics.

The move has been heavily criticised by Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery, who has called the job losses and privatisation disappointing.

"I have been, as a Labor member, a long-term opponent of privatisation because it ends up not benefiting the community, it benefits the private companies," Ms. Hornery says.

It comes after City of Newcastle stated any changes to the pool management would not result in job losses.

"It's sad that we read documents and pledges from Labor councillors that say there would be no job losses. And yet, we know twelve qualified, experienced, long-term staff at Beresfield pool have lost their job," she says.

She is now calling for council to offer re-employment to the twelve staff, and to apologise to them.

"There have been no steps to right the wrong. I am asking the councillors to do right by the Beresfield and Tarro community and by the twelve employees that they sacked; to reinstate those experienced, qualified employees, and take them back to the pool."

17th Fingal Bay Drowning Prompts Calls for Increased Safety Measures

BY JORDANN LAVERS

A 71-year old man died at Fingal Bay in Port Stephens on Easter Sunday just after 10:00am on a family beach visit. 

Lifeguards were quick to respond to calls for help, with the man found floating in water near the infamous sand spit.

His young female relative was able to make it to safety.

Emergency services were called to reports a man was unresponsive in the water.

NSW Ambulance paramedics administered CPR however, the man was unable to be revived. 

This incident follows at least 16 other fatalities at the dangerous northern end of Fingal Bay, prompting immediate calls for an increase in basic safety measures. 

President of the Hunter Branch of NSW Surf Life Saving Henry Scruton is hoping additional signage and portable location beacons with a direct radio link to the surf club will be implemented at the popular holiday destination.

Mr Scruton says visitors should be vigilant when using the Bay's waterways.

"It is safe to swim in as long as you have the ability to swim but if you are not a good swimmer don't go over to that island especially when the tides are changing," he said.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is reviewing the incident to identify any further measures which need to be implemented to increase visitor awareness in future. 

A spokesperson said "visitor safety is a priority." 

Image: Marine Rescue Port Stephens

 

 

Summer patrol hours extended on Lake Macquarie beaches

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lifeguards will patrol Lake Macquarie beaches for an extra two hours every day through Summer, after new data revealed people are showing up later for a dip.

The flags will be up at Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves, and Catherine Hill Bay beaches from 8am to 6pm, instead of 9am to 5pm, until Sunday 29 January.

Council's Smart Beaches monitoring program is showing more people are heading to the beach before and after work, especially from 5pm to 6pm on weekdays.

It's hoped the extended hours will also ease pressure on the 9am to 10am peak on weekends.

More than one million people are expected to visit the city's beaches over the season.

Senior Lifeguard Byron Howarth at Redhead Beach.