Life Saving Victoria welcomes additional water safety funding

Life Saving Victoria has welcomed advice that the Victorian Government is pledging $8.3 million over two years towards water safety initiatives.

Life Saving Victoria’s President Tom Mollenkopf today advised “after a tragic summer of drowning deaths in Victoria, the funding represents a critical contribution towards what is ultimately a life and death issue and of utmost importance to all Victorians.

“It will go towards addressing the increase in drownings with the ultimate aim of lowering the drowning toll.”

The new funding follows a Victorian summer drowning toll of 23 reported drowning deaths from the 1st December 2017 to 28th February 2018 - the highest summer drowning toll since the summer of 1997/98.

The number is nine more than the five-year average for the same period (2012/13 to 2016/17).

Mollenkopf commented “sadly, drowning will always be an issue for Victoria and one that needs to be addressed as populations increase and new demographics start using the water.

“In light of that, we must continue pushing water safety messages and remain vigilant.”

The upward trend in the drowning toll has seen a rise every year for the last three years, which Mollenkopf sees as a worrying issue for the state, adding “as outlined through the Victorian Water Safety Strategy (VWSS), reducing drowning-related death and injury requires a multifaceted approach in the form of community-based actions, effective policies, ongoing research and targeted campaigns that increase community education and awareness.

“This funding furthers the collaborative efforts between government, community and industry to implement the VWSS.”

This year (from 1st July 2017 to 5th April 2018), there have been 37 drowning deaths – three more than the five-year average for the same time period.

Mollenkopf concludes “in Victoria, we have access to beautiful beaches, state-of-the-art aquatic facilities and many hot days when cooling off in inland waterways is essential.

“Life Saving Victoria encourages the use of aquatic facilities and resources, so this funding will go a long way towards making sure everyone can still enjoy aquatic pursuits with increased education, lifesaving capability and knowledge of waterways helping them do so safely.” 

Image courtesy of Life Saving Victoria. 

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