In 2000, the then Minister for Sport and Recreation established the NSW Water Safety Taskforce to build upon the achievements of the Premier’s Water Safety Taskforce and the NSW Water Safety Council. In 2004, the Taskforce was renamed the NSW Water Safety Advisory Council to reflect the evolution in the function of the Council from a hands-on approach to one of leadership and collective advice and direction from the member agencies of the Council.
Introduction
The NSW Government has supported water safety as a critical community issue through the establishment of the NSW Water Safety Taskforce and support for peak water safety related agencies. The NSW Government recognises the contributions to water safety made by member organisations, especially the non-government agencies. The NSW Water Safety Advisory Council provides a strategic approach to water safety.
The role of the council is to provide advice to the Minister on water-safety-related matters. The Taskforce developed the NSW Water Safety Framework 2001-2003 as a strategic approach to water safety in NSW. The framework focuses on the three key areas of evidence, standards and education.
Member profiles
Membership of the NSW Water Safety Advisory Council includes:
the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association; Austswim NSW; NSW Department of Primary Industry; NSW Maritime; NSW Department of Health; NSW Department of Local Government; NSW Sport and Recreation; NSW Local Government and Shires Association; Surf Life Saving New South Wales; The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (NSW Branch)
NSW Sport and Recreation
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation has taken on the
lead Government lead role for water safety in this state. This
role includes coordinating the NSW Water Safety Taskforce; providing
the Swimsafe Learn to Swim program and; the administration of
a water safety grants program.
Contact: Kathy Booth
Position: Project Officer
Ph: (02) 9006 3843
Fax: (02) 9006 3885
Address: 6 Figtree Drive, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2137
Postal Address: Locked Bag 1422 Silverwater NSW 2138
Email: info@dsr.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.dsr.nsw.gov.au
Media enquiries: Michelle Schofield
Ph: (02) 9006 3700
Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association INC (APOLA INC)
APOLA Inc is a non-profit professional association that is recognised as the peak professional association for Australian professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards. It promotes best practice in ocean water safety and beach management and coordinates professional ocean lifeguard activity in the areas of lifeguard training, community education, public relations, regulation and risk management in consultation with Councils and their professional beach inspector ocean lifeguard services staff.
APOLA membership is predominantly full-time career professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards who are employed by Coastal Councils.
Contact: John Andrews
Position: Secretary/Treasurer
Address: PO Box 3512 Wamberal NSW 2260
Ph: (02) 4333 7592
Email: info@apola.asn.au
Web: www.apola.asn.au
AUSTSWIM NSW
AUSTSWIM is Australia's national organisation for the teaching of swimming and water safety. AUSTSWIM's primary role is the teaching and education of swimming teachers. Having your child 'Learn to Swim' by an AUSTSWIM qualified teacher will ensure they obtain an appropriate skill level.
Contact: Gordon Mallett
Position: CEO
Address: P O Box 546, East Melbourne VIC 8002
Postal Address: PO Box 395
Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: (02) 9655 7500
Fax: (02) 9639 8555
Email: ceo@austswim.com.au
Web: www.austswim.com.au/nsw.htm
Department of Primary Industries
NSW Fisheries is concerned about the deaths and injuries sustained by anglers, most particularly rock fishers. By utilising its strong links with fishing clubs, the fishing media and the angling public, NSW Fisheries aims to focus the expertise of the fishing community to assist the Council, and to provide a conduit for information back to the relevant sectors most at risk.
Contact: Nick James
Position: Manager, Recreational Fisheries
Address: PO Box 21, Cronulla NSW 2230
Ph: (02) 9527 8473
Fax: (02) 95278536
Email: nick.james@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
Department of Health (DOH)
The Injury Prevention and Policy Unit of NSW Health is responsible for developing policy and program initiatives which will reduce the burden of death and serious injury.
NSW Health has the lead agency role for the Key Priority Area of Evidence and Chairs the Data Collection and Research Sub-committee of the NSW Water Safety Advisory Council.
Contact: Claire Monger
Position: Snr Policy Analyst, Injury Prevention Policy Branch
Address: Locked Mail Bag 961 North Sydney NSW 2059
Ph: (02) 9391 9951
Fax: (02) 9424 5994
Email: claire.monger@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.health.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Local Government
The Department administers the Local Government Act 1993 which
provides for local councils to carry out lifesaving and regulatory
functions in relation to beaches, public swimming pools and other
waterways under their control. The Department of Local Government
also administers the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and regulation which
provides for the fencing and erection of warning notices of backyard
swimming pools.
Contact: Karen Paterson
Position: Manager Policy and Research
Address: Locked Bag 1500 Bankstown NSW 2200
Ph: (02) 9793 0793
Fax: (02) 9793 0799
Email: dlg@dlg.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.dlg.nsw.gov.au
NSW Local Government and Shires Association
To provide advice on water safety issues as they affect local
government. The Association represents the interests of the 172
local councils across NSW that are responsible for the enforcement
of the Local Government Act, Swimming Pools Act and other legislation.
Contact: Frank Loveridge
Position: Legal Officer
Address: GPO Box 7003, Sydney NSW 2001
Ph: (02) 9242 4000
Fax: (02) 9242 4111
Email: lgsa@lgsa.org.au
Web: www.lgsa.org.au
Surf Life Saving New South Wales Inc
Surf Life Saving NSW, recognised by the NSW government as the peak aquatic rescue organisation, consists of 128 Surf Life Saving Clubs with 50,000 members that patrol over 140 locations along the NSW coastline. As the largest aquatic rescue organisation in NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW provides volunteer lifesaving services; education and training for members, school students and the community throughout NSW; along with a professional contract lifeguard service, available to councils, government departments and organisations by request.
Contact: Phil Vanny
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Address: Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen NSW 2101
Postal: PO Box 430 Narrabeen NSW 2101
Ph: (02) 9984 7188
Fax: (02) 9984 7199
Email: experts@surflifesaving.com.au
Web: www.surflifesaving.com.au
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (NSW BRANCH)
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA) was established in 1894. The Society's main goal is to reduce the loss of life by drowning. To accomplish this goal RLSSA provides water safety education and training for schools, the community and the aquatics and recreation industry. The RLSSA is the leading training and accreditation body for Pool Lifeguards in NSW and also offer training in the Resuscitation, Senior First Aid, Oxygen Equipment and other life saving areas. The RLSSA is probably best known for their Bronze Medallion award.
The RLSSA also run programs that are focused on reducing the loss of life by drowning. These programs target various age groups in the community.
Contact: David Macallister
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Ph: (02) 9879 4699
Fax: (02) 9879 4644
Email: nsw@rlssa.org.au
Web: www.rlssa.org.au
NSW Maritime Authority
The NSW Maritime Authority’s major objectives are to maintain and promote safety on all navigable waters and minimise the impact of boaters on the environment.
Some NSW Maritime Safe Waters related functions include
- Promotion of safety through statewide education and compliance programs
- Issue of licences and registrations for boating
- Installation and maintenance of navigation aids.
Contact: Brett Moore
Position: General Manager, Recreational Boating & Regional Services
Address: Locked Bag 5100, Camperdown NSW 1450
Ph: (02) 9563 8511
Fax: (02) 9563 8522
E-mail: bmoore@maritime.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.maritime.nsw.gov.au
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