THERE may not be any surf off mainland Redland suburbs but that did not stop Redland City Council plumping to entice Surf Lifesaving Queensland to relocate here.
Mayor Karen Williams, vice patron of Surf Life Saving Queensland, said she jumped at the chance to invite the organisation to consider relocating their headquarters from South Brisbane and building a centre of excellence here.
On Wednesday, council backed her request for an investigation into finding optimal locations and funding for the $50 million centre along with speaking with the state government.
Cr Williams said she would also ask the federal government for funding when she went to Canberra this month as part of the Council of Mayors delegation.
“What better place than the city of islands for this facility to be based?” she said.
“The Redlands already hosts plenty of surf-based events and triathlons and this facility would enhance our reputation has a location of choice for beach-based events.
“The state government will be a big part of this facility, but we will also be speaking with other groups, clubs and organisations with an interest,” she said.
SLSQ chief executive John Brennan said he was excited about the proposal and the council support.
“Everything we do as an organisation is centred around training our dedicated volunteer lifesavers and professional lifeguards, developing best practices in lifesaving techniques and educating the community in public water safety with the ultimately goal of saving lives," he said.
“The proposed SLSQ Centre of Excellence will provide us with world class training and education facility purposely built to assist us in achieving our vision of Zero Preventable Deaths in Queensland Public Waters.”
