Riverland Water Safety Strategy
Now Open for Community Consultation
The Riverland Water Safety Strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing drowning incidents in the Riverland region of South Australia, is now open for public consultation and feedback until 31 July 2024. This draft strategy results from a collaboration led by Royal Life Saving Australia, involving input from 33 stakeholders from various organisations committed to drowning prevention and water safety in the Riverlands region.
In 2023, a Royal Life Saving report highlighted the River Murray as the leading inland waterway blackspot for drowning in Australia. The Riverland region of South Australia has experienced a disproportionate number of drowning fatalities, with 17 deaths recorded between July 2002 and June 2023. This alarming statistic reflects a fatal drowning rate 50 per cent higher than the national average and more than double the rate for the rest of South Australia.
In May 2024, stakeholders convened in Renmark to workshop and co-design the Riverland Water Safety Strategy, reinforcing a collective commitment to preventing drowning in the region. Key goals of the strategy include:
- Ongoing Collaboration - Strengthening and expanding the River Murray Safety Working Group to ensure consistent support for cooperative efforts.
- Swimming and Water Safety Skills - Enhancing and supporting programs that teach essential skills and knowledge, ensuring equitable access for all.
- Joint Campaigns and Messaging - Partnering to design and disseminate educational materials and safety messages with a unified voice to maximise impact.
- State Policy Engagement - Advocating for increased marine compliance resources for the Riverland and aquatic facility infrastructure support.
Royal Life Saving South Australia Chief Executive Officer Jake Culkin highlighted the collaborative efforts behind the development of the strategy.
"The 2024 Water Safety Roundtable involved representatives from government, local councils, lifesaving, emergency services, ambulance, police, water corporation, aquatic facilities, and holiday parks," said Mr Culkin.
"The dedication and cooperation from all stakeholders involved has been remarkable and shows the level of commitment the Riverlands community has to water safety and drowning prevention in the region.
"There are many benefits of recreating in and around water, and this strategy aims to balance those benefits with our focus on drowning prevention. The strategy highlights key priorities and outlines goals to improve water safety and prevent further, unnecessary drowning deaths."
South Australia Police SS1C Riverland Operations Mark Howie emphasised the community's stake in the strategy and encouraged its support for water safety efforts in the region to prevent further drowning deaths in the future.
"The River Murray, Lake Bonney, and other open water locations in the Riverland region are vital to the community's economic, social, and health outcomes. We are very fortunate to have these beautiful waterways, which offer places for recreation and relaxation.
"Unfortunately, the number of drowning deaths clearly demonstrates there is work to be done in improving water safety in this region. The Riverland Water Safety Strategy is crucial for safeguarding our community, and it is a step in the right direction to ensure that we provide safe enjoyment of these waterways to both residents and visitors.
"No one knows this region better than our community members, so I strongly encourage them to support this strategy and provide feedback," said Mr Howie.
The Riverland Water Safety Strategy -DRAFT is open for public consultation until 31 July 2024 using the Riverland Water Safety Strategy Draft Feedback Form.
