Australian Water Safety Council seeks local government backing to help reduce drownings

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.