Practice Note No. 15 - Water Safety - Division of Local Government ...

Concern has been expressed by members of the public about single sex change rooms being used by olderchildren of the opposite sex, accompanied by a parent, at public swimming pools. In particular, concern has beenexpressed about older boys and male teenagers, accompanied by their mother, using the women’s change roomwhen girls and young women are present. The reason parents often want to accompany older children while theyare getting changed is to protect them from inappropriate behaviour by other users of the change room.Public swimming pools differ in the change room facilities they provide. The different change roomarrangements are described in Appendix 2, along with options in relation to addressing the use of single sexchange rooms by children of the opposite sex.10. OTHER SAFETY CONSIDERATIONSOther aspects of water safety councils should consider include:Øattention to the design of facilities, the use of appropriate surface materials and regular maintenance.Councils are encouraged to use The Royal Life Saving Society Australia publication, Safety in SwimmingPools – Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details).Councils are also encouraged to contact the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and/or theAquatic and Recreation Institute for information and advice in relation to the design of safe poolfacilities (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details)Øprovision of shade protection. Councils are encouraged to use the NSW Cancer Council publication,Under cover. Guidelines for shade planning and design (see Section 11 Further Resources for contactdetails). As well as providing general information about planning, designing and constructing shadeprotection, the guidelines provide recommendations and considerations for shade provision at a rangeof specific sites including public swimming pools and beachesØØa clear and practised procedure for dealing with emergencies, including emergency signals andevacuation plans. For further information about this, it is suggested that councils contact the Aquaticand Recreation Institute or The Royal Life Saving Society Australia in the case of swimming pools;and the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association, The Royal Life Saving Society Australiaor Surf Life Saving NSW in relation to beaches (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details)effective strategies for ensuring that young children are adequately supervised at public swimmingpools. Advice provided by the Anti-discrimination Board indicates that preventing entry to childrennot accompanied by an adult constitutes discrimination in access to facilities based on age under theAnti-discrimination Act. While the Act provides for exemptions, a strong case of special need wouldhave to be established. Councils should consider implementing alternative strategies such as an entryfee structure that encourages family groups and that reflects the cost to council of more diligentsupervision of young children, and taking strong action in respect of any person who fails to complywith standards for safe behaviour at the pool.Practice Note 15: Water Safety13