AusLeisure

Local governments are being encouraged to make the new Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 central to their drowning prevention policies.

The newly released strategy seeks to raise awareness about non-fatal drowning incidents, encourage communities to create local water safety plans, and promote access to swimming and water safety skills for all Australians, particularly for those living in regional areas.

Noting that 280 people drown each year, with many more admitted to hospital following a non-fatal drowning incident, Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) Convenor, Justin Scarr stated “the previous Australian Water Safety Strategy proved effective with the fatal drowning rate reducing by 26% over the past decade and drowning in children aged 0-4 years reducing by 50%.

“However, drowning remains unacceptably high, impacting more than 280 families each year”.

The AWSC wants state, territory, and local governments and other organisations to help implement the AWSS 2030 as part of reaching an aspirational goal to reduce drownings by 50% by 2030.

Data and insights collected during the roll-out of the new strategy will be used to inform a planned mid-term revision of the strategy in 2025.

Image: Royal Life Saving Society - Australia has previously advised that the Murray River the number one river drowning black spot in the country. Credit: Royal Life Saving Society - Australia.

Related Articles

8th April 2021 - Swim Australia shares resources to aid swim teacher recruitment

25th March 2021 - New Water Safety Strategy sets out plan to significantly cut Australia’s drowning rate

18th March 2021 - Drastic shortage of swim teachers puts young Australians at risk

15th March 2021 - Increase in summer drownings prompts plea from Surf Life Saving Australia

9th March 2021 - Blacktown City Council’s Swim Sense program empowers adults in the water

13th January 2021 - Brimbank Leisure Centres’ updated ‘Swim and Survive’ program caters for up to 1000 new students

16th December 2020 - Senate report says local government is key to regional infrastructure investment

23rd November 2020 - Royal Life Saving’s latest Keep Watch campaign highlights tragic drowning toll among children aged under 12 months

30th September 2020 - CQU researcher seeks input with study into drowning prevention strategies

18th September 2020 - Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving Australia report males account for 80% of all drowning deaths

14th July 2020 - ‘Culturally Competent’ aquatic centres look to reduce drownings among diverse communities

19th March 2020 - Drownings fall across Australian summer of extremes

5th December 2019 - AUSTSWIM receives funding boost to combat multicultural drownings

2nd December 2019 - Rescue tubes trialled at Coffs Harbour beaches to help reduce drownings

2nd December 2019 - Victorian drowning report shows worst toll in 20 years

15th December 2017 - Leading professional lifeguard says swim between flags message is ‘desirable but unrealistic’

21st November 2016 - Tasmanian students urged to ‘Respect the River’

25th October 2015 - Murray River the number one river drowning black spot in Australia

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.