Practice Note No. 15 - Water Safety - Division of Local Government ...
Practice Note No. 15 - Water Safety - Division of Local Government ...
Practice Note No. 15 - Water Safety - Division of Local Government ...
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Concern has been expressed by members <strong>of</strong> the public about single sex change rooms being used by olderchildren <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>ten want to accompany older children while theyare getting changed is to protect them from inappropriate behaviour by other users <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> single sexchange rooms by children <strong>of</strong> the opposite sex.10. OTHER SAFETY CONSIDERATIONSOther aspects <strong>of</strong> water safety councils should consider include:Øattention to the design <strong>of</strong> facilities, the use <strong>of</strong> appropriate surface materials and regular maintenance.Councils are encouraged to use The Royal Life Saving Society Australia publication, <strong>Safety</strong> in SwimmingPools – Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details).Councils are also encouraged to contact the NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Sport and Recreation and/or theAquatic and Recreation Institute for information and advice in relation to the design <strong>of</strong> safe poolfacilities (see Section 11 Further Resources for contact details)Øprovision <strong>of</strong> 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 range<strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> swimming pools;and the Australian Pr<strong>of</strong>essional 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> more diligentsupervision <strong>of</strong> young children, and taking strong action in respect <strong>of</strong> any person who fails to complywith standards for safe behaviour at the pool.<strong>Practice</strong> <strong><strong>No</strong>te</strong> <strong>15</strong>: <strong>Water</strong> <strong>Safety</strong>13