Applications have opened for grants to assist organisations in improving water safety in the community and help prevent drownings in NSW. The release of the Royal Life Saving NSW Summer Drowning Report for 2017/18 reveals that last summer, 36 people tragically drowned in NSW waterways.
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The NSW Government opened the Water Safety Fund Community Grants Program to prioritise initiatives that target high-risk groups and locations identified in the Summer Drowning Report.
This year the program will focus on programs addressing risk-taking behaviour around the water involving young men, and the use of drugs and alcohol, rip current awareness and beach safety, taking safety precautions, such as wearing lifejackets while boating and rock fishing, highlighting the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled locations, Aboriginal communities and CALD communities and international visitors.
Minister for Emergency Services and Dubbo MP Troy Grant said last summer the report showed there were fewer drownings than the previous summer, with a significant decrease between the Christmas and New Year period.
“However, there are still far too many families who have been left to mourn the loss of a loved one.
“Over 80 per cent of those who lost their life to drowning were men, with young males aged 18-24 years the most at risk. We need to keep sending the message to young men that where there is water there is danger.”
Preference will be given to collaborative projects between water safety and community organisations.
