Guidelines for Inland Waterways
Guiding Safer Practices in Inland Waters
Background
Inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, dams and lagoons provide significant social and economic value to Australia and require comprehensive consideration in waterway planning and management. However, the use of any water body introduces a level of risk to the public.
Inland waterways are the most prominent location for unintentional fatal drownings to occur in Australia. Within Australia, inland waterways are the most prominent location for unintentional fatal drownings to occur. In the summer of 2021/22 51% of all drowning deaths occurred in inland waterways. Twenty-eight percent of drownings involved swimming and recreation, 13% involved boating and 13% involved an unintentional fall into water.
Royal Life Saving in consultation with an extensive range of land and water authorities has developed these Guidelines for Inland Waterway Safety in response to that risk.
The Guidelines provide practical guidance to assist inland waterway owners and operators as well as statutory authorities to determine how best to manage the risk of drowning and serious injury resulting from the use of or access to inland waterways and their waterfronts.
Need Safety Advice?
Whether you manage an aquatic facility or oversee activities near inland waterways, safety is paramount. Our comprehensive safety assessments, designed for both aquatic facilities and inland water environments, evaluate risks, compliance with safety regulations, and operational practices. With tailored insights and expert recommendations, Royal Life Saving NSW helps you ensure that your facility or waterway is safe for users, minimising the risk of accidents and incidents.
Our assessments focus on identifying potential hazards, reviewing safety protocols, and providing actionable recommendations to improve safety outcomes. For aquatic facilities, we assess everything from lifeguard performance to pool equipment, while for inland waterways, we evaluate public access points, signage, and environmental risks. With decades of experience and industry-leading expertise, we support you in creating safer environments, no matter the water setting.
