Published 27 May 2022
Drowning Prevention is Local
One of Australia’s drowning blackspots hosted one of Australia’s first Local Water Safety Roundtables in a bid to reduce drowning deaths by responding to local conditions.
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia chose Townsville to host the roundtable after researchers found 33 people had drowned in Townsville and its surrounds the past decade.
Royal Life Saving’s National Manager – Aquatics, RJ Houston said the roundtable was the first step to creating a collective drowning prevention strategy for the region.
“There was a deep sense that more needed to be done to keep people safe in and around water in the region, with many high-profile drowning tragedies in the area,” said Mr Houston.
“Through the roundtable, we gained a shared understanding of drowning issues in the region and secured a collective commitment to collaborating towards reducing drowning in the region.
“It was terrific to see the enthusiasm from all the stakeholders to reduce drowning deaths.
“Townsville is a place where water is important to people, and they are exposed to it on a daily basis. It provides great recreational, health and well-being, and socio-economic benefits which are very important to the community.
“We want everyone to enjoy these activities safely.”
The roundtable, hosted at James Cook University, brought together stakeholders from:
- Beach Safety Research Group (University of New South Wales)
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Department of Environment and Science – Northern Parks & Forest
- Farmsafe Queensland
- James Cook University
- Kidsafe Queensland
- Maritime Safety Queensland
- Port of Townsville
- Public Health Unit – Townsville
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
- Queensland Police – Child Protection Unit
- Royal Life Saving - Queensland
- Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
- Surf Life Saving – Queensland
- Townsville City Council
- Townsville Coroner’s Unit
- Volunteer Marine Rescue Association of Queensland
- Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
The first roundtable established a list of key focus areas for the local strategy, with the second intended to establish agreed activities that agencies can target in reducing drowning in the region.
The second roundtable in Townsville is scheduled for the Thursday 21 and Friday 22 July.
Royal Life Saving is extending the invitation to all agencies and organisations with an interest and/or responsibility for water safety and drowning prevention.
To express an interest in being involved in the next roundtable, please complete the Expression of Interest form which outlines the Terms of Reference and return to: aquatics@rlssa.org.au
