Published 20 June 2024
On 6th and 7th May, advocates came together to develop strategies aimed at preventing drowning and promoting water safety in the Riverland.
The Drowning in Rivers, Creeks, Lakes and Dams report from Royal Life Saving Australia, identified the Murray River as the top inland waterway blackspot for drowning in the country. Sadly, between July 2002 and June 2023, 17 people died from drowning in the Riverland, resulting in a fatal drowning rate that was 50% higher than the national rate and more than twice as high as the rest of South Australia.
In May 2024, a multisectoral group of drowning prevention advocates assembled in Renmark, South Australia for the Riverland Water Safety Roundtable. The aim was to discuss, debate, and explore the local context for drowning and its prevention; strengthen collaborative partnerships; and co-design a water safety strategy which endeavours to inspire action. The group was driven by a deep concern for Riverland residents and visitors, as well as a great respect and love for the region’s waterways.
The two-day roundtable was coordinated by Royal Life Saving Society –South Australia, with the support of Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and built on previous collaborative efforts of the SA Police River Murray Safety Working group. Participants included representatives from local and state government, emergency response agencies, local businesses, aquatic facility managers, and other community organisations.
The event reinforced the importance of multisectoral collaboration, acting as an important platform to build bridges and establish new connections between various agencies and groups. In the workshop sessions, participants systematically explored the diverse and complex drowning challenges facing the region and identified focus areas for prevention action.
There was also a focus on open water locations as key contributors to the economic, social and health outcomes of the community. Ensuring both residents and visitors to the Riverland continue to have opportunities to access and enjoy the water safely is a major priority.
Several elected representatives were present, giving participants the opportunity to engage with and hear from them. They also reinforced the importance of drowning prevention efforts in the Riverland and provided guidance to the group on how to successfully move the needle. They included:
- Hon. Emily Bourke MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier and Assistant Minister for Autism
- Hon. Russel Wortley MLC
- Mr. Tim Whetstone MP, Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment and Member for Chaffey
- Ms. Dana Wortley MP, Member for Torrens
- Ms. Margaret Howie, Acting Mayor for Renmark Paringa Council
- Sue Lyons on behalf of Hon Anne Ruston, Senator for South Australia, Manager of Opposition Business in the State
Image: Emily Bourke, Tim Whetstone, Russel Wortley
The River Murray Safety Working Group, with support from Royal Life Saving – Australia, will now draft the region’s first comprehensive water safety strategy and continue to coordinate collaborative action. The next meeting is scheduled for early July, where the group will assess and approve the draft strategy and plan a joint messaging initiative for World Drowning Prevention Day on 25th July.
List of organisations who participated in the Roundtable:
- ALERT First Aid & Training
- Belgravia Leisure
- Berri Barmera Council
- Canoe the Riverland
- Department for Education
- Discovery Holiday Parks - Lake Bonney
- District Council of Loxton Waikerie
- Life Saving Victoria
- MCCSA
- Renmark Paringa council
- Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
- Royal Life Saving South Australia
- SA Ambulance Service
- SA State Emergency Service
- SAPOL
- South Australian Water Corporation
- Surf Life Saving South Australia
For further information visit:
https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/Aquatic-Risk-and-Guidelines/inland-waterways/Local-Water-Safety-Planning/riverland
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ross Woodward, Media Key
P: (03) 9769 6488, E: mediakeypr@iprimus.com.au
