Sunshine Coast Council, emergency services and Sunshine Coast Surf Lifesaving have joined forces to launch a Sharing our Sunshine Coast campaign designed to encourage locals and visitors to be prepared and take care over the summer holiday period.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said indications pointed to the busiest holiday period the Sunshine Coast has experienced for some time and that people needed to continue to follow public health measures and plan for a happy and safe Christmas.
"Council is continuing to do all it can to support our community, just as we have throughout this turbulent year," Mayor Jamieson said.
"Our council is ramping up services to keep our outdoor spaces like parks and barbecues looking terrific to cater for our residents and the anticipated increased number of visitors.
"And it will be business as usual for essential services such as waste collection which will run to schedule even on public holidays.
"We're calling on everyone across our region to be kind, considerate and focus on keeping the community safe, because this is everyone's responsibility," he said.
Sunshine Coast Council has provided a one-stop shop webpage providing all the information you need to be prepared and to take care for a safe summer on our Sunshine Coast.
Visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/summer for council's beaches and parks directory, patrolled beach locations, pet friendly areas and dog off leash areas, parking and transport tips, activities and much more.
Importantly, the web page also provides contacts for support services that are available for anyone struggling with mental health or putting food on the table this festive season.
Mayor Jamieson said the webpage was a wonderful resource that showcased the many things on offer and ways to keep your cool this summer.
"There are lots of favourite spots across the region but if you arrive at a space where social distancing can't be maintained jump on the webpage and find another fantastic option," he said.
Due to great work across our region and our state in keeping up physical distancing, practising good hygiene and sticking to the restrictions, we can now have 100 people gather in public outdoor spaces, and 50 people can gather at a private property.
You must practise physical distancing as much as possible and:
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and use alcohol-based sanitiser
• avoid hugs, kisses and handshakes
• wherever possible keep at least 1.5 metres away, two big steps, from people you don't live with.
Sunshine Coast Council's lifeguard services will be keeping a watchful eye on 20 areas across the Coast, from Golden Beach in the south to Coolum Beach in the north.
Surf Life Saving Queensland regional operations manager Aaron Purchase said local residents and visitors could be assured some of the best lifeguards in the country would be keeping a watchful eye on swimmers between the red and yellow flags this summer.
"Having dedicated lifeguards gives residents and holiday-makers peace of mind," Mr Purchase said.
"Our professional lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers provide an exceptional service across our beaches but it's really important that beachgoers help us out during peak season by making the effort to find the nearest flagged area when they are wanting to go for a swim.
"Remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags and to check beach conditions before swimming."
Be sure to learn beach safety rules regarding rips, stingers and sun safety and for detailed patrol times and locations please visit the Beach Safe website.
Queensland Police Service Superintendent Craig Hawkins said as a community, a state and a nation, we had all done incredibly well coping and responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This summer will be another challenge for council, police, our health service and lifesavers so it would be terrific if everyone, visitors and locals, continued to do their bit to respect the COVID-19 safety rules and look out for each other," Supt Hawkins said.
"Above all, be patient and be kind.
"There will be a lot of extra people in our Sunshine Coast region and we want everyone to have a memorable and safe festive season," he said.
Image: Sunshine Coast Council Chief Executive Officer Emma Thomas and Surf Life Saving Queensland Sunshine Coast Regional Manager Aaron Purchase.
