"The key thing for us is we have surf clubs and providing services at them so when it starts and finishes it's seamless. Regional lifeguards during the week, volunteers through the weekend, but extending the period to four weeks would mean two extra weekends for lifeguards and volunteers."
Statistics from the previous year showed heightened activity in Tay St during the Christmas and New Year with it now being the second busiest area along the Eastern Bay.
Mr Emmett said although not always a flagged area, regional lifeguards and volunteers did roaming patrols in the Tay St area about every 45 minutes through the season and this would continue to Anniversary weekend.
Tauranga city councillor Matt Cowley said the two-week trial of lifeguards stationed at Tay St should be doubled next summer but not at a cost for council.
"I support extending the period lifeguards are stationed at Tay St to four weeks next summer, but the funding would need to come from other services," he said.
Mr Cowley supported the reductions in beach grooming to fund additional lifeguard services.
"Beach users are spread right along the city's coastline, so an un-groomed beach does not deter people from having fun in the sand," he said.
Council would consider whether to fund these additional services during the upcoming Long Term Plan.
"Council has the tough task of prioritising services so it can live within its means.
"Prioritising water safety before beach grooming is my proposed solution."
Mr Cowley said he would need to wait for Surf Life Saving NZ to report to council to find out the cost of the additional services.
