Call for lifeguards at Pearl Beach

Pearl Beach Progress Association has called on Central Coast Council to provide lifeguards at Pearl Beach over the summer holidays.

President Mr Peter Romey said the association supported the Pearl Beach Safety Advisory Group's proposal to have dedicated lifeguards patrol the beach.

He said it would begin canvassing Central Coast Council.

Safety Group member Mr Peter Toohey said the group wanted "to create a safer beach environment for everyone".

Mr Toohey said that Pearl Beach suffered from several issues that impacted user safety.

He said many of them could be lessened with the presence of a regular lifeguard.

"At Pearl Beach, the currents and lack of shallow water can be a dangerous combination for poor swimmers and children," Mr Toohey said.

"Pearl Beach has considerably coarser sand and the quartz pearls produce a steep reflective beach, with waves surging up the beach, making for a steep drop into deep water off the shore.

"This results in dangerous situations, particularly from the middle to northern end of the beach.

"We also experience added dangers from uncontrolled jet skiers, dogs on the beach, fishermen leaving bait, tackle and sometimes even fires.

"These all add to beach safety issues," Mr Toohey said.

He said Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch had been approached for support and residents had been asked to write to Central Coast Council asking for a lifeguard service.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 5 Mar 2020

Peter Romey, Pearl Beach Progress Association