2010 Australian Water Safety Conference
ACT TODAY FOR 2020 – PREVENTING DROWNING
Thursday 13 & Friday 14 May 2010
Novotel Hotel Brighton Beach
Leading Australian and international water safety experts gathered in Sydney for the 2010 Australian Water Safety Conference to seek answers as to why there has been a 20 per cent increase in drownings over 2008-2009, with the overall figure exceeding 300 for the first time in 7 years.
Australian Water Safety Council Convenor Rob Bradley said the numbers were concerning considering the strong commitment from water safety organisations in taking a collaborative approach to reduce drowning deaths.
“In 2008 we released the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) strategic plan which targeted a reduction in drowning deaths in Australia by 50% by 2020.
“The AWSC identified three key drivers underpinning the strategy to reduce drowning deaths including taking a life stage perspective, targeting high risk locations and targeting high risk populations such as indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse communities and tourists.
“While significant steps have been taken in all these areas by member groups of the AWSC, drowning deaths are again on the rise and we need to further look at ways that we can reduce this toll with the limited resources available to all groups,” said Mr Bradley.
The Australian Water Safety Council emphasizes that water safety is everyone’s responsibility and by providing a forum for Australian and International water safety experts to share information at the conference, the Council will review and incorporate the details presented into the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2008-2011.
More than 150 delegates from around Australia as well as Singapore, Philippines and New Zealand attended the conference to discuss a wide range of water safety issues including high risk target groups such as children under five and indigenous communities, high risk aquatic activities such as rock fishing and much more.
The conference heard from Lifesaving experts, researchers and scientist on issues such as beach safety (including rip currents and coastal black spots), learn to swim, education and awareness as well as looking at rural and remote areas.
“Enjoying water-related activities are deeply entrenched in Australian lifestyle and culture and with more than 75 per cent of the population living in coastal areas we need to continue our work towards making water safety a priority in this country,” said Mr Bradley.
The 2010 Australian Water Safety conference was proudly supported by the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, AUSTSWIM and the Australian Government.
Conference Program and Proceedings Booklet