Landmark aquatic event to explore inland waterway safety and ageing infrastructure

July 31, 2025

Aquatics / Events / Security / Venues /

Organised by Royal Life Saving NSW, the upcoming ‘Safer Places to Swimposium’ is being held on 27th–28th August 2025 at Oaks Cypress Lakes in the Hunter Valley. The landmark event in aquatic safety and infrastructure will bring together councils, planners, operators, suppliers, community advocates, designers, and safety professionals to tackle two of the most pressing challenges facing aquatic communities:

Inland Waterways: Natural swim spots are growing in popularity, but they also present complex risks, from microbial safety to shared-use conflicts. The event will unpack what’s needed to make these spaces safer, more accessible, and sustainable.
Ageing Aquatic Infrastructure: Many of our public pools and facilities are at breaking point. The event offers an opportunity to explore how infrastructure can be modernised to meet the needs of diverse and growing communities.

The Agenda is Live – What’s In Store?
This is not your average industry conference. The ‘Safer Places to Swimposium’ blends keynote insights, real-world case studies, and interactive co-design to chart the future of aquatic safety and community access.

A snapshot of what delegates will experience:
Keynote Spotlight, Victoria Vanstone
Vanstone, culture-changer, speaker, and host of the global hit podcast Sober Awkward, with over seven million downloads will deliver a keynote sharing how culture, parenting, and safety intersect, offering a powerful and personal perspective on creating safer spaces for families and communities.

Day 1 – Identifying Challenges, Seeding Solutions
The Swimposium kicks off with influential voices setting the scene:

Nick Ryan (Business Western Sydney) opens with a keynote on regional infrastructure priorities
Will Koon (Royal Life Saving Australia) delivers a presentation on the evolving challenges for ageing aquatic centres
Malcolm Kuhn (Otium Planning Group) shares insights from the Inverell Aquatic Centre redevelopment, spotlighting cost-effective innovation in regional communities
Michelle Nolland (Larcan) explores operational advice for new and refurbished aquatic/leisure developments
Dr Amy Peden (UNSW) examines evidence-based risk management for inland swim spots
Alek Olszewski (Life Saving Victoria) presents a data-driven overview of water safety trends, enhancements, and partnerships across Victoria

Hands-on Workshop: ‘Build the Ideal Aquatic Centre’ - a collaborative design sprint enabling delegates to combine expertise, share solutions, and foster cross-sector innovation.

Day 2 – Resilient Solutions & Cross Sector Integration
Day two builds momentum with forward-thinking approaches:

Chiara Cenati (Myrtha Pools) discusses revitalising ageing facilities with advanced design and engineering solutions
Alexia Morgan (Sustainability professional- Belgravia Leisure) addresses low carbon design, climate adaptation, and inclusive accessibility
RJ Houston (Royal Life Saving) explores integrated safety frameworks for inland waterways
Matt Gijselman, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for APAC at Bentley Systems, Transforming Infrastructure Performance
Technical deep-dives from Myrtha Pools, ParaMobility, Larcan, and Blacktown City Council, showcasing innovative projects in infrastructure, inclusion, and design innovation
Sydney Water, Water & Health, and national aquatic authorities present strategies on water, hygiene, and environment-driven resilience

An interactive continuation of the ‘Ideal Centre’ exercise extends the Day 1 workshop, giving delegates the space to reflect, iterate, and expand pilot ideas into viable future projects.

Featuring regional decision-makers, infrastructure specialists, academic experts, and industry leaders, each session delivers actionable insights while morning coffee sessions, Q&A forums, grouped design workshops, and evening catch ups provide rich opportunities for new collaborations.

Click here for more information in the Australasian Leisure Management Industry Calendar

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20th December 2024 - Royal Life Saving WA and LIWA Aquatics celebrate 20 years of Watch Around Water program

11th May 2025 - Victoria’s ageing aquatic facility infrastructure in need of resources

23rd January 2024 - New site endorsed for ageing Chinchilla Aquatic Centre replacement

13th September 2022 - Northern Territory’s ageing Palmerston Swimming and Fitness Centre to be transformed

29th July 2022 - Ageing infrastructure results in the permanent closure of Eagleby Aquatic Centre

1st July 2022 - City of Canterbury Bankstown to sacrifice ageing Wran Leisure Centre

26th March 2022 - Rockhampton Regional Council commits to redevelopment of ageing Mount Morgan Aquatic Centre

15th January 2025 - Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre introduces inland Water Safety Program

10th July 2024 - Royal Life Saving releases new guidelines for inland waterway safety

9th April 2024 - Newcastle inland pools experience busiest summer in almost 30 years

23rd January 2024 - Ambulance Victoria and Life Saving Victoria reinforce need for caution around inland waterways

22nd July 2022 - City of Newcastle to open tender for its five inland swimming pools

4th April 2021 - Lifesavers graduate from inaugural inland waterways safety program in Wagga Wagga

29th January 2020 - Life Saving Victoria pilots inland ‘Bush Nippers’ water safety skills program

18th November 2019 - Wagga Wagga inland beach shortlisted for Australia’s Top 20 beaches

23rd February 2016 - Royal Life Saving warns of drowning dangers in inland water

20th January 2015 - Swimmers urged to wear life jackets in inland waterways

14th May 2014 - 10-year review identifies drowning dangers of inland waterways

27th June 2013 - New NSW Trust to manage coastal and inland recreational assets

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