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read moreA newly released report from Royal Life Saving Society WA, in conjunction with LIWA Aquatics, shows that public aquatic facilities in Western Australia recorded 10.4 million visits in 2020/21 - representing 3.9 pool visits per head of population.
A decline from a pre-COVID peak of 11.5 million visits on 2018/19, these visits have been shown to deliver $275 million in economic benefits to the state.
Breaking down the visits, the Bigger, Better, Safer: Western Australian Aquatics Industry Report 2020/21, showed that 412,906 visits to facilities in the Mid West region - equating to 7.8 visits per head - was the highest in the state while 192,450 in the Great Southern region - equating to 3.1 visits per head - was the lowest.
Aquatic industry expenditure totalled $96.1 million total in 2020/21, an 18.8% rise from 2019/20 with an average $9.22 expenditure per public pool visit during the year. The Pilbara region was the highest spending, generating $24.50 per visit while Metropolitan Perth had the lowest at $7.60 per visit.
The annual report on the state of the aquatic industry in Western Australia, showed 4134 staff were employed in 2020/21 of which 738 were full-time, 446 part-time and 2950 casuals - with 60% of this workforce located in Metropolitan Perth.
The 18 to 24 years age group were the largest part of the workforce (38%) while the 25 to 34 and 55 to 64 age groups totalled 13% each.
64% of this workforce were female, 1.45% came from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and 2% from multicultural backgrounds.
Technical staff in pools made up 11% of the workforce, 40% of whom worked in the Perth area. With an average age of 37 years, 35% were employed on a casual basis.
Pool lifeguards made up 28% of the workforce, 73% of whom worked in the Perth area. With an average age of 26 years, 68% were employed on a casual basis.
In these groups, 70% of technical staff and 54% of lifeguards were male.
Swim teachers made up 33% of the workforce, 78% of whom worked in the Perth area. With an average age of 26 years, 86% were employed on a casual basis and 75% of this segment of the workforce female.
The report, which as far back as its 2017/18 edition identified the now nationwide trend of a shortage of swim instructors and pool lifeguards, showed in this latest edition that there are a total of 1377 swim instructor positions in the state, not all of which are currently filled.
Among the active positions, 133 are swim coaches and 735 are swim teachers.
Reversing a trend of decreasing water usage over recent years, water consumption across facilities rose to a total of 1270 megalitres, an increase of 1.1% from the previous years, with an estimated 123 litres water consumption per patron.
In the area of safety, Bigger, Better, Safer recorded 2,327 injuries at public pools in 2020/21, representing 22.3 incidents per 100,000 visits.
Trips, slips and falls were the major incidents and cuts, grazes and piercings the main injuries.
Produced each year with financial assistance from the Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation, Bigger, Better, Safer report aims to;
Overall, the report states “aquatic centres provide significant benefits to the WA community, in terms of community development, sport, recreation, health and fitness.”
Moving forward it suggests: improving injury data procedures across the state; continuing efforts to reduce injury at public pools; improving cultural knowledge across workforce; further exploration into facility expenditure; assessing the social impact of aquatic facilities and addressing workforce staffing gaps.
In regard to staffing issues, it notes “currently, the industry is struggling to find staff to meet the demands for swimming instructors and lifeguards during peak time periods and across regional WA.
“Further efforts are needed to encourage individuals to join the aquatic industry workforce and decrease staff turnover. This is particularly important in regional WA where programs have been cancelled due to a lack of available staff.”
New Royal Life Saving Society WA President
The end of 2021 saw Royal Life Saving WA appoint a new President, following the retirement of Colin Hassell.
The Board of Directors appointed Vaughan Davies to the role who is described as having “a wealth of experience in the aquatic and government sectors across WA”.
Having grown up the regional towns of Esperance and Kalgoorlie, Davies started his working life as a casual pool lifeguard before going on to an extensive career in the public sector.
He spent 10 years in local government working in community services and overseeing the management and construction of swimming pools across regional Australia, before moving into a role as regional manager of Tourism WA based in Broome.
From there he joined the Western Australian Department of Aboriginal Affairs where he became the Director General of the Department in 2016.
Davies currently works at the Western Australian Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as the Assistant Director General of the Heritage and Property Division - responsible for the management, protection and promotion of Western Australia’s Aboriginal and Historic heritage assets as well as the Western Australia Planning Commission’s property portfolio.
A keen long-distance open water swimmer, Davies is impressed by the work Royal Life Saving WA does through its Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools program.
Joining the board’s Aboriginal Reference Group in 2017 he sees RLSSWA as a well-established, solid brand steeped in history and filled with talented, professional and committed staff and saw his position on the board as an opportunity to work with like-minded people, while also giving back to a cause that has been a part of his entire life.
Davies believes swimming is a life skill that every Western Australian should enjoy 100% water safety across all parts of the community is a goal he would like to see the organisation achieve - from infant aquatics, swim & survive, seniors water safety through to working with non-English speaking and remote Aboriginal communities. He sees this as an achievable aim through good governance, strategic thinking and creating partnerships with government and corporate organisations.
Welcoming Davies appointment, Royal Life Saving WA Chief Executive, Peter Leaversuch stated “for many years Vaughan has made an invaluable contribution, most recently in his roles on the Board and reconciliation working group.
“He brings to the role an extensive background in terms of aquatics, regional WA, Aboriginal affairs and most importantly is a terrific leader and inspiration for all the team at Royal Life Saving.”
Click here to download the Bigger, Better, Safer 2020/21 report.
Images: Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre (top), Beatty Park Leisure Centre (middle) and new Royal Life Saving WA President Vaughan Davies (below).
1st February 2022 - Latest Western Australian Government advice says proof of vaccination not required at aquatic centres and sport facilities
13th January 2022 - Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre’s roof set to capture run off for irrigation
24th November 2021 - Roof repairs at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre to cost more than $2 million and close pool for more than a year
20th November 2021 - Widely reported near drowning at Adventure World shows need for child supervision in aquatic environments
14th November 2021 - Opinion: Are today’s aquatic recreation centres really serving the community?
12th November 2021 - New Royal Life Saving research shows social impact of the aquatic industry
7th November 2021 - Children to showcase aquatic skills at Pilbara Spirit Swimming and Lifesaving Carnival
4th November 2021 - New hoist enhances swimming access at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre
7th October 2021 - Lotterywest funding backs Royal Life Saving WA to deliver water safety education to at-risk communities
29th September 2021 - Plans announced for expansion of Cockburn ARC
27th August 2021 - Port Hedland Council endorses aquatic facility masterplan
13th May 2021 - Western Australian aquatic facilities recognised for commitment to saving water
16th February 2021 - With Councillor admitting ‘no swimming pool in Perth makes money’ City of Bayswater commits to aquatic centre upgrade
14th December 2020 - Locals drive Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre’s push for industry accreditation
16th November 2020 - LIWA Aquatics Regional Seminar marks return of face-to-face events
7th September 2020 - LIWA Aquatics partners with Australasian Leisure Management
3rd September 2020 - City of Vincent commits to $2.9 million in improvements at Beatty Park Leisure Centre
31st August 2020 - New recognition levels for Western Australia’s Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program
1st June 2020 - Karratha Leisureplex to benefit from new shading as development master plan announced
9th March 2020 - Royal Life Saving WA releases REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan
19th December 2019 - Royal Life Saving WA partners with LIWA Aquatics to stress water safety vigilance over summer holidays
7th October 2019 - LIWA Aquatics’ new President outlines future association objectives
9th August 2019 - Western Australian aquatic centres report identifies industry labour shortages
5th August 2019 - Attendances rise and water consumption falls at Western Australian aquatic centres
18th July 2018 - Continuing performance challenges at aquatic facilities in Western Australia
11th October 2017 - Western Australian aquatic centres attract more than 11 million visits in a year
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