Beach safety on the Coffs Coast reaches new heights this summer, with the Government’s drone program expanded to more NSW beaches, said Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser.
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Lifeguards and lifesavers will be assisted by drones at 15 beaches along the NSW coast, enabling potential risks to be spotted faster than ever before.
Mr Fraser said the expansion of the drone trial was fantastic news for beachgoers who loved spending time on our beautiful coastline.
“The NSW Government drone trial began at nine beaches last year, and this year it has been expanded to cover Kingscliff, Main Beach at Byron Bay, Lennox Head, Lighthouse Beach at Ballina, Evans Head, Yamba, Coffs Coast, Tacking Point, Birubi, Redhead, Avoca, Kiama, Mollymook, Pambula and Tathra,” Mr Fraser said.
“The expansion of the program is a testament to the government’s commitment to public safety and innovation.
“Our beach patrol crews work tirelessly, so I’m delighted that they will be supported with the latest available technology to help keep our community safe. The birds-eye perspective from the drones will allow rescuers to spot potential risks faster, with potentially life-saving consequences.
“For families and friends who love to head to the beach during the warmer months, they can feel safe in the knowledge that as much as possible is being done to prevent them from harm.”
Mr Fraser said that while prevention of attacks and drownings was the priority, the trial would also inform future approaches for the NSW Shark Management Strategy.
“This trial will be useful to assess the operational aspects of using drones by a volunteer organisation and it will also provide more in-depth data about the behaviour of sharks in NSW waters,” Mr Fraser said.
The trial will complement helicopter aerial surveillance for the upcoming school holidays from the Tweed to Wollongong. The drone trials will continue until the end of April 2019.