The One Mile Beach lifeguard tower that underwent a $840,000 rebuild this year was officially opened on Tuesday, in time for the peak patrol period.
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Brock Lamont, Port Stephens Council’s community and recreation coordinator, said the new building will help lifeguards better protect beach-goers during the summer holidays.
“This is a massive upgrade from the previous building,” he said.
“The new facility was designed in consultation with the local lifeguards to ensure that it meets their needs and there’s no doubt it will have a huge impact on their important work of keeping our beaches safe.
“There’s storage for surf lifesaving equipment, staff amenities, a first aid room and importantly, an elevated shark observation tower.
“The inclusion of a shark tower will allow lifeguards to have better oversight of the beach and enable them to respond more quickly to sightings.”
One Mile Beach is the last of the three patrolled Port Stephens beaches behind Fingal Bay and Birubi Point to have its lifeguard amenities upgraded.
The former building, double the size of the previous footprint, was demolished at the end of May. Construction on the new building began soon after that with the fresh slab laid at the start of June.
The project was funded through the Crown Reserve Trust, grants received through the Department of Primary Industries and section 94 development contributions.
Port Stephens lifeguard supervisor Phil Rock previously told the Examiner that he was pleased a shark tower was included in the plans for the new building.
“That elevated position allows our guards to have much better vision of the beach and water,” he said.
While final checks were being undertaken on the new building last week, lifeguards, council and volunteer surf lifesavers kicked off the beach season at Fingal, Birubi and One Mile in time for the long weekend.
“The Australian Lifeguard Service will once again be hitting the beaches to provide professional lifeguards across Port Stephens, with support from our trusted volunteer Surf Life Saving clubs,” Ian Crawford from the council said.
Lifeguards will operate five days a week at Birubi Point and Fingal beaches and every day at One Mile beach from 9am to 5pm and 9am to 6pm during the summer school holidays.
Surf Lifesaving Clubs will provide volunteer services on weekends and public holidays at Fingal and Birubi Point beaches.
