The annual forum brings together government agencies, land and waterway managers, emergency services, the aquatic industry and support sectors, including tourism, to address this important issue, particularly for Victoria’s rural and regional communities.
The event will be an opportunity for participants to collaborate and share knowledge and insights to help forge a co-ordinated whole-of-community approach to better inland waterway safety.
A third of all fatal drowning incidents in the 2024-25 financial year occurred at inland waterways.
This trend remains stubbornly high across the medium and long-term, requiring a targeted and collaborative approach.
LSV general manager aquatic capability Andy Dennis said the Inland Waterways Forum was a key opportunity to examine the factors that contribute to drownings and water-related injuries and to find appropriate solutions aligned with those most at risk.
“There are a range of factors contributing to drowning fatalities in inland waterways, and we must work as a community to address these,” he said.
“That’s why we need everyone to come together and do what they can to drive down the number of drownings we’re seeing across Victorian communities.
“One drowning is one too many.”
The forum will run at Radcliffe’s, 5/10 Radcliffe St, Echuca, on Thursday, May 21, from 9am to 4pm.
This event is being delivered by Life Saving Victoria as part of the Inland Communities Water Safety Program, with support from Royal Life Saving Australia and the Australian Government.
It is free to attend the forum and registrations are open at training.lsv.com.au/dashboard/profdev
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