New Water Safety Council

Following a recent meeting of national water safety organisations, a new Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) was formed. The Council will concern itself with all aspects of safety for recreational, sporting and commercial activities connected with all coastal and inland wasters of Australia in developing a coordinated approach to water safety in this country.

AWSC comprises eight peak water safety related organisations: AUSTSWIM, Australian and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group, Australian Swimming Incorporated, the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association, Farmsafe Australia, Kidsafe, Surf Life Saving Australia and The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia.

The Council has identified six key issues, namely to:

1. Increase public awareness of key water safety messages
2. Provide Compulsory water safety education in schools
3. Assure quality in the instruction of water safety
4. Educate high risk target groups
5. Fast track safety audits of aquatic locations
6. Dramatically improve research into water safety related issues

These six issues will form the basis of discussion at the National Water safety conference to be held in Melbourne on 5 May. Specifically, conference participants will take part in the planning process for each of these areas to arrive at a final plan which will be presented to the Commonwealth Government by the Council. That plan will outline implementation strategies and quantify the level of funding required to support them.

Further information is available from
Robert Bradley,
Tel: 02 9181 5444, mobile: 041 234 3651; or
David Howlett,
Tel: 03 9427 1008.