Marcoola new lifesaving tower installation
A new surf observation tower at Marcoola Beach has been craned into place, marking a significant enhancement to beach safety for the Marcoola community.
The new tower replaces the previous structure, which was originally built by the members of Marcoola SLSC some 40 years ago.
Club President Ben Allsopp said, this would not be a traditional tower as seen along most beaches.
“It has been custom-designed and built off-site to reflect the local character and vibe of Marcoola, while fully meeting Australian safety standards.”
“Many will be sad to see the old tower go, as it had been a proud part of our beach for decades.
"However, the environment had taken its toll, and it was no longer safe for use.
"We’re happy that the new tower honours the look and feel of the original while ensuring the safety of our lifesavers and the community.”
The project has been made possible through funding from Surf Life Saving Queensland and Sunshine Coast Council, generous support from Sunshine Coast Airport, and discounted pricing from the manufacturers, Saltair Modular.
Sunshine Coast Division 8 Councillor Taylor Bunnag said Marcoola’s 40-year-old tower had served the community well for decades, but it had reached the end of its life and needed to be replaced to keep our beach safe.
“This new, purpose-built tower is a significant investment in the wellbeing of our community, giving our volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards the visibility and tools they need to respond quickly and confidently,” Cr Bunnag said.
“Council is proud to support the club with a modern, resilient structure that maintains Marcoola’s unique character while strengthening beach surveillance for the growing number of people who love this part of our coastline.
“I’m proud to see Council working alongside Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club to deliver this important upgrade for our beachgoers.”
The bespoke tower offers a number of key benefits
- Enhanced beach safety: Provides patrols with improved sightlines to monitor swimmers and surf conditions.
- Support for volunteers and Australian Lifeguard Service personnel: Helps lifesavers and lifeguards carry out their duties more effectively, improving response times and overall safety for beachgoers.
- Community-focused design: Built to complement the local environment and aesthetics, rather than being a standard off-the-shelf structure.
- State-of-the-art features: Includes durable materials and safety features designed for long-term use in coastal conditions.
While the tower is a major milestone for the club, Marcoola SLSC is now focused on raising urgently needed funds to redevelop the club facilities, which have also been impacted by the harsh coastal environment. The club is seeking support from State and Federal funding, although success has not yet been achieved.
“Like the tower, our new facilities will represent the character and spirit of Marcoola,” Mr Allsop said.
“We want to maintain the family-friendly, community-focused vibe that makes Marcoola special, even as more people visit the beach.
“Preserving that atmosphere is just as important to us as improving safety and services.
“Without a functional club fit for purpose, we cannot properly train our volunteers or store the essential rescue and lifesaving resources needed to save lives and prevent tragedy.
“It is vital that our facilities meet the needs of both the community and the ever-growing area of Marcoola. Our top priority is to be rescue-ready at all times.”
Members of the community are welcome to observe the installation. Please note that the area around the crane will be restricted during the lift for safety reasons.