The $60,000 platform is located centrally at Diggers Beach and has 180-degree views over the whole beach area. It is the latest lifeguard facility to be built as part of the Towers of Strength campaign – a project driven by Loretta Rigby from the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Daybreak.

Two other towers have already been built at Park Beach and Sawtell Beach and work has already started on a fourth at Red Rock.

The Towers of Strength project was begun to increase public safety on the Coffs Coast’s Beaches.

The Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Daybreak’s fund-raising efforts have provided a major part of the funds needed for the campaign and the club donated a total of $40,000 towards the cost of the Diggers Beach platform.

Coffs Harbour City Council and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) also provided $20,000 through the Regional Park Trust.

Loretta Rigby also coordinated additional community business donations from a number of local firms including HQ Concrete, Eastland Trade Supplies, Bunnings Coffs Harbour and Stramit Building Products.

“The Towers of Strength campaign has attracted support from people throughout the community because its aim is so simple – to save lives,” said Stephen Sawtell, Council’s General Manager.

“The input from the Diggers Beach community, in this case, was particularly important as they provided the concept of combining public viewing with lifeguard surveillance. Their ideas have resulted in a high quality, covered, two-tier structure that really complements the beach setting.

“The design means that the deck will provide an all-weather vantage point that can be used all year round,” he said.

Diggers Beach will be patrolled from 9am-3.30pm for the two-week school holiday period beginning on October 5. Sawtell, Woolgoolga and Park Beach beaches will also be patrolled from 9am-3.30pm for the holiday period from October 6.