'Work to be done' following 2012 Australian Water Safety Conference

Over 150 water safety and drowning prevention experts from across Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand, attended the recent Australian Water Safety Conference 2012 in Sydney.

With the conference theme 'From Strategy to Action', the event saw the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) officially release Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-15 - which sets out a plan for a 50% reduction in drowning deaths by the year 2020 with the ultimate aim of achieving a nation free from drowning.

The release of the Strategy was welcomed by Federal Minister for Sport; Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation Senator Kate Lundy, who also spoke at the conference.

Speaking following the launch of the AWSC Convenor Rob Bradley stated "there's so much work to be done.

"Since 2008 Australia has experienced a concerning increase in drowning deaths across a range of demographics, locations and activities.

"The 2012-15 Strategy focuses on prevention strategies to reduce drowning deaths in inland waterways, to reduce the number of people aged over 55 who are drowning and reduce the impact of disaster and extreme weather on drowning deaths.

"The Australian Water Safety Council is deeply committed to drowning prevention in Australia and is a collective voice for Australia's leading water safety organisations. It's all about taking action to reduce drowning in partnership with government, the industry and the community."

A major delegation of water safety experts involved with Japan's Water Safety Nippon took part in the conference, signing a special memorandum of cooperation with the AWSC. Japan currently has a high rate of drowning deaths and Water Safety Nippon was established in March 2010 as a public private partnership promoting a message of achieving zero water accidents. The campaign operates nationwide focusing on preventing children and adults from drowning.

The Conference looked at the most effective means of reducing drowning after the most recent National Drowning Report (2011) revealed that 315 people drowned (between1st July 2010 and 30th June 2011). This is the highest level of drowning seen in Australia since 2003. The numbers jumped by 11% when compared to the five year average.

Bradley added "we have to do more. Too many lives are being lost in Australia. The Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012/15 is vital as we move forward and the conference showcased the great work already being undertaken to prevent drowning in Australia."

Members of the Water Safety Council include Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (RLSSA), Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), The Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety (AUSTSWIM), Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA), Swimming Australia, Divers Alert Network (DAN) Asia Pacific, The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (Kidsafe), Farmsafe Australia, Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee, Surfing Australia, Australian Leisure Facilities Association, Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA), Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

The Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-15 implementation template can be viewed at http://watersafety.com.au/Portals/0/AWSS%202012-15/AWSC2012_ImplementationTemplate.pdf 

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