Petition to extend lifeguard service at Labrador’s Ian Dipple Lagoon days out from submission to GCCC
A petition to make lifeguard services permanent at a calm water lagoon in the wake of a tragic Christmas Eve drowning is days out from being submitted to Gold Coast City Council.
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A PETITION to make lifeguard services permanent at a calm water lagoon in the wake of a tragic Christmas Eve drowning is days out from being submitted to Gold Coast City Council.
Natalie Chalmers, 44, was gutted to learn of a three-year-old boy’s death at Labrador’s Ian Dipple Lagoon, fuelling her mission to reduce the risk of another horrific drowning at the site.
Launched on New Year’s Eve, the paper petition has since amassed roughly 300 signatures and received the backing of Cr Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden.
“I’ve got my own child, it hits pretty close to home. It’s scary how quickly things can happen,” Ms Chalmers told the Bulletin.
“It was pretty sad how long the child was in the water, it was a really sad event.”
“I’ve seen how busy it can get down there and it can get really difficult to keep track of little kids at times.”
Passers-by leapt into action on Christmas Eve last year after the missing boy’s parents raised the alarm, prompting passers-by to quickly dive into the water to join the search.
He was pulled from the water sometime later in front of horrified onlookers.
Ms Chalmer’s petition calls for both improved safety monitoring of the calm-water swim spot and permanent ramp access for those living with disability.
A disability Beach Access Program is currently being trialled each Saturday at the lagoon until the end of April, with a temporary access ramp, beach-friendly wheelchair and an on-duty lifeguard available from 9am to 3pm excluding public holidays.
Ms Chalmers said the measures should be extended to cater the area’s growing crowds – a ramp made available from 8am to 5pm and days of service extended to the entire week and public holidays in warmer months.
“There’s been a need for a ramp and more lifeguards for quite a while,” she said.
“It’s going to benefit the community for having that disability ramp there, there’s a lot of aged care facilities and disabled in the area who could access it.
“The lifeguard was a secondary benefit of the trial, but it might also be a way of gathering data to see if a lifeguard is needed permanently in that area.”
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said while he supported the permanent introduction of the service to the lagoon, on-duty lifeguards were not a substitute for parental supervision.
Lifeguards are one of several measures being considered – plus better signage and improved ramp access – as part if a $1.65 million funding boost to the Harley Park and Ian Dipple foreshore.
“Though Ian Dipple Lagoon may appear a safe and inviting location, like any type of water – no matter how calm and safe it may seem – can be dangerous,” Cr Bayldon-Lumsden wrote on social media.
“The lagoon drops away quickly and is deceptively deep in parts. Inhabitants of the Broadwater frequently make their way into the enclosure.
“Constant vigilance and supervision are required when using the area.”
The petition is due to be handed over to Gold Coast City Council in February.
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Originally published as Petition to extend lifeguard service at Labrador’s Ian Dipple Lagoon days out from submission to GCCC
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