Lifesavers flag extension for beach patrol

Mount Maunganui lifeguards Jackson Edwards, front, and Steven Gregory patrol Tay St beach in 2013. Photo / Andrew Warner

This season is the first time in 15 years the popular beach at Tay St has had a lifeguard flagged area - discussions are now open on whether the two-week period should be extended.

The patrolled flags started on Boxing Day and continued until January 9.

Surf Life Saving eastern region regional manager Chris Emmett said the eastern Bay of Plenty beaches were a real drawcard for locals and visitors and it was their highest priority to keep the beaches safe but was unsure about extending the flagged period.

Mr Emmett said this would probably be one of the busiest seasons and was working on the statistics to take to council with recommendations for next season.

"It was a really busy season for us, we will work with council and work out the best solution here ... It's about going to where the people are.

"The key thing for us is we have surf clubs and providing services at them so when it starts and finishes it's seamless. Regional lifeguards during the week, volunteers through the weekend, but extending the period to four weeks would mean two extra weekends for lifeguards and volunteers."

Statistics from the previous year showed heightened activity in Tay St during the Christmas and New Year with it now being the second busiest area along the Eastern Bay.

Mr Emmett said although not always a flagged area, regional lifeguards and volunteers did roaming patrols in the Tay St area about every 45 minutes through the season and this would continue to Anniversary weekend.

Tauranga city councillor Matt Cowley said the two-week trial of lifeguards stationed at Tay St should be doubled next summer but not at a cost for council.

"I support extending the period lifeguards are stationed at Tay St to four weeks next summer, but the funding would need to come from other services," he said.

Mr Cowley supported the reductions in beach grooming to fund additional lifeguard services.

"Beach users are spread right along the city's coastline, so an un-groomed beach does not deter people from having fun in the sand," he said.

Council would consider whether to fund these additional services during the upcoming Long Term Plan.

"Council has the tough task of prioritising services so it can live within its means.

"Prioritising water safety before beach grooming is my proposed solution."

Mr Cowley said he would need to wait for Surf Life Saving NZ to report to council to find out the cost of the additional services.