Northern beaches: Push for residents to volunteer as COVID-19 marshalls this summer
The northern beaches mayor is encouraging the council to get behind an idea to have resident volunteers as COVID-19 marshalls in summer as it struggles to get $1m in government funding.
Manly
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A mayoral minute which encourages residents to volunteer as COVID-19 marshalls this summer is expected to spark debate at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Mayor Michael Regan is encouraging councillors to get behind his idea, stating there is a need to have COVID-19 marshalls to keep the beaches open to maintain social distancing.
“We get a lot of visitors, not just locally but from other parts of the state and metropolitan areas. We’ve been in contact with the government and we all agree in order to keep our beaches open we’ll need additional resources and staff to do that. It’s looking to cost between $1m and $1.5m,” Cr Regan said.
“If the government doesn’t come through with the money, we have to ensure there are other measures in place and volunteers out there willing to reinforce the message.
“We’re looking at having multiple flags on the beach to maintain social distancing but it means lifesavers will be focusing on different areas for water safety. We don’t want them to have to worry about social distancing.”
He said volunteers wouldn’t be required to undergo training.
“This is just about reinforcing COVID-19 messages and empowering the community to take responsibility for their actions.
“It will give us the best shot of keeping the beaches open and keeping people safe in the water.
“Everybody proved last summer they will do everything they can to keep the beaches open.”
Cr Pat Daley said he would be in full support of the mayoral minute with concerns schoolies could bring more crowds to the beaches this summer with uncertainty surrounding border closures.
“There is now a big question mark regarding schoolies week celebrations on the Gold Coast and other traditional locations. This means that northern beaches teenagers will be having even more of their schoolies celebrations in our local parks, bushland reserves and other public locations on the northern beaches” Cr Daley said.
“Social distancing will no doubt be an issue. I ask that we include the concept of using Red Frogs or similar volunteers to help council rangers and the police to manage this situation. “Red Frog volunteers work very closely with Gold Coast City Council and other councils around Australia. They discourage excessive alcohol consumption and the use of illegal drugs. They can also be used to encourage social distancing.”
But not everyone is expected to vote in favour of the mayoral minute, with Cr Rory Amon voicing some concerns.
“I’m always open to ideas but I think that it’s going to be a waste of staff’s time and resources,” Cr Amon said.
“We have one of the highest volunteer rates in the country and for the community to volunteer as COVID-19 marshalls in summer when they’re already volunteering as firefighters and for their local clubs, it seems to be a bit of a hopeless virtue signal and a waste of everyone’s time.
“I’m planning to vote against it, I don’t think it’ll get much traction where our community already give so much of their time.”