Published 29 October 2025
South East Queensland Water Safety Forum Strengthens Regional Action on Drowning Prevention
Royal Life Saving Australia, in partnership with Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and Surf Life Saving Queensland, was proud to facilitate the 2025 South East Queensland Water Safety Forum on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month.
The forum brought together more than 60 individuals representing over 40 organisations, with a shared purpose: eliminating drowning and empowering communities to be safe around water.
Over the past decade, 325 people have lost their lives to drowning in South East Queensland – an average of 33 deaths each year. Males accounted for three-quarters of all fatalities, and one in four were aged over 65 years. Rivers and creeks (28 per cent) and beaches (27 per cent) remain the leading locations for drowning, followed by swimming pools (18 per cent), most commonly backyard pools.
The forum was opened by Queensland Police Service Acting Chief Superintendent Janelle Andrews and featured speakers from across government, emergency services, academia, industry, and community organisations. Discussions focused on shared responsibility, stronger data-led planning, and locally tailored drowning prevention initiatives.
This year’s forum revisited the South East Queensland Water Safety Strategy 2023–2027, first developed in 2023 through collaboration between more than 120 leaders from 45 organisations. Participants workshopped updates to ensure the strategy remains evidence-informed, inclusive, and aligned with the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 priorities—ensuring swimming and water safety skills for all, localising drowning prevention action, and aligning policies and partnerships for change.
Key objectives of the 2025 forum included:
- Reconnecting and aligning efforts across the regional water safety ecosystem
- Reviewing progress and re-imagining local drowning prevention strategies
- Prioritising key challenges and opportunities for collective action
- Empowering communities to lead safer water practices
Royal Life Saving Australia General Manager – Capability and Industry, RJ Houston, said the strong participation and engagement demonstrated the collective commitment across Queensland’s drowning prevention ecosystem.
“The diversity of perspectives in the room – from councils and lifesaving organisations to emergency services, judicial, health, education, and community groups – reflects the scale of commitment needed to make meaningful progress,” Mr Houston said.
“It’s a reminder that effective drowning prevention relies on collaboration at every level.”
A Post-Forum Summary Report will be published in the coming weeks, outlining key discussion points and next steps for the region.
The 2025 South East Queensland Water Safety Forum was facilitated by Royal Life Saving Australia with support from the Australian Govwernment in partnership with Royal Life Saving Society Queensland and Surf Life Saving Queensland with the support of the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council.
Event photos
