Beach safety remains priority for Queensland Government in 2010
Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 10 2010
2010 >>

 JOINT STATEMENT

An important beach safety meeting on the Gold Coast today heard about the range of activities planned for this year to help protect beachgoers in the future.

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Annastacia Palaszczuk met with beach safety experts to discuss how the Government-funded On the Same Wave Program would be conducted in 2010.

“This program was developed in response to a number of tragic drowning incidents on the Gold Coast earlier this year,” Minister Lawlor said.

“I realised that although the beach safety message had been around for a long time, it wasn’t necessarily reaching everybody who visited our beaches.

“A more coordinated response was necessary.

“Since then the Bligh Government has committed $100,000 to Surf Life Saving Queensland to deliver On the Same Wave.

“Today’s meeting was all about updating key stakeholders on the progress of the coordinated response and making sure everyone agrees to how the program will be delivered.

Minister Palaszczuk said the surf safety campaign was a step in the right direction.
“People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are overrepresented in national and state drowning figures, and considered an at risk group by surf authorities,” she said.

“On the Same Wave will target Queenslanders from culturally diverse and non-English speaking backgrounds with a very clear message to swim between the flags.

“The program will include merchandise, posters and signage promoting beach safety, and surf safety brochures translated into 18 languages.

“It will also include community workshops, visits to schools and migrant groups and the specific targeting of local and international tourism markets through tour and accommodation providers.”

The Program will focus on delivering key water safety messages to people from multicultural communities. This will be achieved through:

• School educational workshops
• Community educational workshops
• On beach and water safety sessions for school children from targeted schools
• Promotion of the Program at large multicultural festivals
• Development of multi-lingual educational resources such as fact sheets and brochures
• Ensuring multilingual messages can be used by the tourism industry eg tour providers, accommodation providers etc;
• Surf Safety Fridge Magnets produced for holiday accommodation;
• Distribution of promotional merchandise such as t-shirts and bags;
• Beach safety awareness posters for display in tourist information offices; and
• Production of further SLSQ airport signage (already confirmed at Brisbane Airport, existing at Gold and Sunshine Coasts).

Mr Lawlor said Surf Life Saving Queensland had been involved in successful community education programs for a number of years.

“They are continually pushing beach safety messages throughout Queensland,” he said.

“We are very pleased they are involved in On the Same Wave and look forward to utilising their expertise to ensure the future safety of Queensland beachgoers.”

“On the Same Wave will also be discussed at a national level next week.

“The issue of beach safety will be a key agenda item at the Tourism Ministers’ Council meeting in Canberra,” he said.

“Also, Tourism Australia has partnered with Surf Life Saving Australia to develop new surf safety materials for international travellers which will be available online at www.tourism.australia.com and for distribution to industry partners.”

Last changed: Jun 10 2010 at 2:44 PM