Safety app being developed by Northern Beaches Council to prevent drowning

A WORLD-FIRST app will be developed by a team including Northern Beaches Council to reduce the risk of coastal drowning and improve public amenities.

Lifesavers will be assisted by a new app being developed by the Northern Beaches Council.

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A WORLD-FIRST app will be developed by a team including Northern Beaches Council to reduce the risk of coastal drowning and improve public amenities.

The council, along with Lake Macquarie Council and the University of Technology Sydney have been awarded $910,000 by the federal government to create a new platform.

Central to the concept is the collection and real-time transmission of information about beach conditions, public amenities and services.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan announced the development of a new platform. Picture: Adam Yip.

The information will be made available to the community via smartphone apps and interactive digital displays at the pilot beaches, one in each of the Lake Macquarie and Northern Beaches Local Government Areas.

Sensors installed along the beach will monitor wave and swell movement, while others will monitor beach activity to gauge when beaches are busiest.

Mayor, Michael Regan, said he was thrilled this important project had been able to attract the significant funding required to make it work.

“Advances in technology means there are now opportunities to provide more detailed, timely and readily available information about local beach conditions,” Cr Regan said.

People enjoying a swim at Manly Beach would benefit from the app.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to provide information to our community and to keep them safe.

“These new tools tick both boxes, providing an even better and safer experience for all beach users.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with project partners to maximise the opportunity for our community.

If the platform is successful, it could be rolled out nationwide, said Lake Macquarie City Council’s Leisure Services Manager, Brad Sutton.

“This Australian Government grant is a wonderful opportunity for Lake Macquarie and the Northern Beaches to lead the pack with smart beaches technology and make our mark on the world stage,” Mr Sutton said.

The concept will complement existing measures employed by the council, such as lifeguards, drone technology and early shark detection systems.

The app will be delivered and trialled by June 2020.