Published 2 September 2025
Meander Valley Council Revamps Inland Waterway Safety Signage
Inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, dams and lagoons provide significant social and economic value to Australia and require comprehensive consideration in waterway planning and management.
However, the use of any water body introduces a level of risk to the public, and this is where a system of coherent and visible signs can assist land managers in providing safer places to swim.
Royal Life Saving NSW | ACT | TAS recently supported Meander Valley Council, Tasmania to assess the range of safety signs around the natural water ways such as the Deloraine River, Hadspen Lions Park Reserve and the Meander River.
Water safety signs play an important role in ensuring the public are aware of the rules and regulations around a swimming zone and offer guidance to take care in and around the water.
The Royal Life Saving team provides land managers with advice around risk and best practice, offering the land manager (often a local council) a risk treatment plan as well as a signage style guide to assist with the production of new signs.
Royal Life Saving NSW | ACT | TAS ' Aquatic Industry Services Manager Jason Phillips said the Meander Valley in Tasmania boasts stunning and unspoiled waterways, providing a variety of experiences for both residents and tourists.
"Recently, the Royal Life Saving Aquatic Industry Services team conducted an extensive evaluation of safety signage across 14 distinct open water locations for the Meander Valley Council, which once updated should assist the public in understanding the dangers present and taking care, while ensuring the Council is meeting updated standards and guidelines relating to aquatic risk management."
Across Australia, Royal Life Saving State and Territory Member Organisations are able to assist land managers in understanding risk and best practice for any aquatic location.
