More than 70 million visits to Victorian aquatic facilities in 12 months

November 20, 2019

A newly released report shows that more than 70 million visits were made to Victorian public access pools in the year 2018/19 and that demand for facilities will rise by an anticipated 16% between 2021 and 2033.

Providing a snapshot of key issues relating to the 560 public pools in Victoria, Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV) and Life Saving Victoria (LSV) have released the second edition of their Victorian Public Pools State of the Sector Report, to provide a better understanding of the Victorian public pool landscape - which provides infrastructure and services for aquatic activities, learn-to-swim, rehabilitation and a range of economic and social benefits.

Information within the Report covers the 568 public access swimming pools in Victoria - 288 of which are council-owned - which employ 40,000 staff.

With a population of 6.3 million, 1.2 million Victorians (around 19% of the population) are pool users, with attendance providing mental health benefits, health system savings, improved educational outcomes and increased productivity.

Covering drowning issues, the Report advises that over the past 20 years there have been nine drowning deaths and that 78% of the drowning victims were male - for which there was a median age of 29 years.

It also advised that there had been 73 non-fatal drownings in the years 2014/15 to 2017/18.

Overall, the key contributing factors to fatal drowning deaths were a lack of supervision, pre-existing medical conditions and lack of swimming ability and water safety knowledge.

It also provides updates on initiatives including efforts to reduce multicultural drowning, the Public Pools Register, industry innovations and new facility while giving an update on the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations.

Introducing the Report, LSV Chief Executive, Dr Nigel Taylor and ARV Chief Executive, Grant Connors, write "understanding and interpreting (this information) these will provide better insight to our sector’s size, performance and broader landscape (and will) also inform smarter, more confident and better public pool investments.

Insights in the report were provided by ActiveXchange and other industry partners.

Click here to view Victorian Public Pools State of the Sector Report 2018/19.

18th November 2019 - 2019 Life Saving Victoria Pool Safety Summit sees launch of State of the Sector report

15th November 2019 - Uncertainty surrounds circumstances leading to man’s death at Perth public swimming pool

22nd October 2019 - Life Saving Victoria voices concerns over aquatic centre ramps

21st October 2019 - YMCA Victoria water safety message reaches international audience

5th August 2019 - Attendances rise and water consumption falls at Western Australian aquatic centres

9th July 2019 - Grant Connors moves from ARV to Belgravia Leisure

3rd July 2019 - Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre receives LSV’s Platinum Pool Award

2nd July 2019 - AquaPulse retains status as one of Victoria’s safest public pools

12th June 2019 - Life Saving Victoria activates new Public Pools Register

3rd June 2019 - Belgravia Leisure awarded for Refugees Breaking Down Cultural Barriers Program

21st May 2019 - Life Saving Victoria to stage latest Blue Connections event

16th May 2019 - Life Saving Victoria launches inflatable pool off Williamstown

22nd February 2019 - AquaPulse earns Platinum Pool accreditation from Life Saving Victoria

31st January 2019 - Life Saving Victoria helps vulnerable swimmers with new training initiatives

22nd January 2019 - Life Saving Victoria launches new Networking Series

12th January 2019 - Life Saving Victoria introduces new Safety Endorsement Program for pools

5th November 2018 - Life Saving Victoria launches Safer Public Pools Code of Practice

12th October 2018 - Life Saving Victoria’s Watch Around Water urges parents to put their down phones when at the pool

19th April 2018 - Royal Life Saving study finds lack of supervision behind child drownings at public facilities

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