This Thursday is the most important moment yet in the campaign to keep our Lifeguards local.
At the Council meeting, Cr Tony Judge will move a rescission motion to overturn the earlier decision to outsource the Coffs Harbour Lifeguard Service. If this motion passes, negotiations with the Australian Lifeguard Service will finally end, and our Lifeguards will remain direct employees of Council. If it fails, outsourcing could move ahead.
📅 When: Thursday 28 August
🕔 Time: 5.00 pm
📍 Where: Council Chambers (River Oak Room), Level 3 Yarrila Place, 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
What you can do right now
🌊 Attend the Council meeting
Show up in the gallery and make sure Councillors see how much the community values our Lifeguards. Numbers matter on the night, please consider coming along.
✉️ Write to Councillors today
If you cannot attend, or have not yet written, now is the time. Even a short, personal message makes a difference.
Here are a few points you could include in your email:
- Accountability: Council-run Lifeguards answer directly to the community. Outsourcing hands responsibility to a contractor, making it harder to demand transparency and high standards.
- Continuity: Outsourcing risks casualisation, high turnover, and the loss of long-term expertise built up over decades.
- No cost advantage: Outsourcing does not deliver savings. Ratepayers carry the same costs, while community safety is compromised.
- Local knowledge: Our Lifeguards know Coffs beaches and conditions better than anyone. That knowledge cannot be guaranteed under a contractor model.
- Community trust: Council’s Lifeguard Service consistently scores among the highest-rated areas of Council. Families rely on them for consistent, professional safety, a trust that outsourcing puts at risk.
Councillors’ Contact Details
Email the councillors' directly today:
👩⚖️ Mayor Cr Nikki Williams – nikki.williams@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👨⚖️ Deputy Mayor Cr George Cecato – george.cecato@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👩⚖️ Cr Cath Fowler – cath.fowler@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👨⚖️ Cr Gurminder Saro – gurminder.saro@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👨⚖️ Cr Jonathan Cassell – jonathan.cassell@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👩⚖️ Cr Julie Sechi – julie.sechi@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👨⚖️ Cr Les Oxford – les.oxford@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👨⚖️ Cr Paul Amos – paul.amos@chcc.nsw.gov.au
👨⚖️ Cr Tony Judge – tony.judge@chcc.nsw.gov.au
This is the decision point. If you can, be at Council Chambers this Thursday at 5.00 pm.
If you cannot, send your email today.
Our Lifeguards need us now.