Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ), in partnership with local councils across Queensland, has expanded its Coastal Safety Network with the installation of new emergency response beacons or ‘smart poles’ at key coastal black spot locations, strengthening emergency response capabilities and improving public safety along the state’s coastline.

Five smart poles are being installed across Queensland, utilising funding from Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) for coastal black spot safety initiatives, marking a significant step forward in the use of technology to support lifesaving operations and community safety.

Recent installations at Noosa North Shore, Alexandra Bay, Stumers Creek (Coolum) and the Maroochy River have enhanced coverage in areas with known communication and surveillance gaps, while replacing temporary infrastructure with permanent, purpose-built safety assets.

The innovative devices are equipped with built-in help points that allow members of the public to directly contact SLSQ’s State Operations and Communications Centre (SOCC) in an emergency. Live video feeds (of the water) from the poles are streamed to the centre, enabling operators to assess incidents in real time and coordinate a faster, more effective response.

In addition, the smart poles feature public announcement systems, allowing lifesavers and lifeguards to remotely communicate warnings and safety messages to beachgoers.

SLSQ General Manager, Emergency Management and Public Safety, Matt Thompson, said the poles are designed for the harsh coastal environment, operate entirely off-grid using solar power, and are built to withstand extreme weather conditions. Each site also includes Public Rescue Equipment (PRE), empowering bystanders to assist in emergencies while professional help is on the way.

“This project demonstrates the value of collaboration between SLSQ, SLSA and our Federal, State and Local Government partners. Together, we’re investing in innovative solutions that will deliver lasting safety benefits for coastal communities.

“Importantly, these beacons don’t just support our lifesavers and lifeguards—they also empower members of the public. The integrated help points and rescue equipment can make a critical difference in the early moments of an emergency.

“As Queensland’s coastline continues to attract millions of residents and visitors each year, it’s vital that we continue to invest in technologies that enhance public safety and support effective emergency response, particularly at unpatrolled locations.

“We’re proud to see the Coastal Safety Network continue to grow, replacing temporary infrastructure with permanent, purpose-built assets designed to operate reliably in some of the harshest coastal conditions.”

The new installations improve emergency communication and monitoring capabilities at several high-risk coastal locations. At Alexandra Bay and Stumers Creek, the smart poles provide critical coverage in areas with known communication challenges, while the Maroochy River installation delivers enhanced visibility of the river entrance and surrounding beach environment. The Noosa North Shore beacon replaces previous temporary infrastructure, ensuring continued safety coverage in this remote location.

“Several of these new locations were identified because of known communication or surveillance gaps. The installations at Alexandra Bay, Stumers Creek and the Maroochy River significantly improve our situational awareness and operational capability in areas where coverage was previously limited,” Thompson said.

In addition to the new locations, smart poles are already in place at Pallarenda Beach (Townsville) and Picnic Bay (Magnetic Island) and will shortly be installed at Frenchmans Beach on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).