Bondi Rescue in council spotlight

TEN’s Bondi Rescue is in the spotlight ahead of its 11th season with media reports of infighting and questions over financial payments.

News Corp has published excerpts from emails which suggest some disagreement between members of the team and possible payments from Redbull, Mars, Billabong and 2XU.

Waverley Council is investigating possible breaches of rules on employees receiving secondary payments and gifts.

“Waverley Council takes seriously any allegations of breaches of the Council Code of Conduct. These matters raised are being investigated,’’ a council spokeswoman said.

Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder producer Nick Murray said: “We would like to confirm that we do pay Waverley Council for access to the beaches and the lifeguards for the following activities: interviews for the show out of work hours, promotional support in all forms of media including press and radio interviews and social media activity.’’

He confirmed those payments were approved by the council. ­According to lifeguards, the money is not itemised but given as a lump sum and equally divided amongst lifeguards at $3480 each.

In 2014 Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins told TV Tonight, “It’s been a pretty good ride, really, and opened up a lot of doors for things outside here. We have a lot more speaking gigs and functions, or the Logies, endorsements. It’s been a little extra that has helped and it wouldn’t have happened if the show hadn’t come along.”

The long-running series is expected to return to TEN soon.