Queensland Aquatic Industry Safety Committee meets for first time

The newly formed Queensland Aquatic Industry Safety Committee has met for the first time to focus on safety at public aquatic facilities and address significant challenges, such as at-risk user campaigns and programs and consistency of safety standards implementation.

The state-based steering committee was established following a recommendation from the 2023 South East Queensland Water Safety Forum. During the Forum, key issues relating to safety, supervision, and water safety were identified, compiled and presented in the South East Queensland Water Safety Strategy 2023-2027.

The strategy shows 9% of pool drownings in the past 10 years occurred in public pools, which reinforces the need for consistency and quality application of industry best practices in aquatic safety.

Commenting on the Committee’s work, Royal Life Saving Society - Queensland State Manager, Nikki Thornhill advised “the formation of the Queensland Aquatic Safety Committee is a step in the right direction for addressing the high rate of drowning incidents in South East Queensland public pools.

"Our public pools should provide a safe environment for swimming, recreation and learning essential water safety skills. But with only 8% of pools in Queensland having conducted safety assessment in the past 12 months, this is one area that requires urgent attention to identify and address shortfalls, particularly in supervision standards and staff qualifications."

The committee's first meeting on 21st June, which included representatives from local government, industry management groups and industry bodies, primarily focused on identifying priorities and developing strategies to enhance aquatic safety.

Key actions will aim to reduce the drowning rate in public pools by 50% over the next year, improve supervision standards through enhanced training and professional development of lifeguards, and implement comprehensive supervision plans.

More information about the South-East Queensland Water Safety Strategy 2023-2027 and the 2023 South East Queensland Water Safety Forum can be found on the Royal Life Saving Queensland website at www.rlssq.com.au/

Image shows attendees at the first meeting of the Queensland Aquatic Industry Safety Committee.