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

1. INTRODUCTIONThis Practice Note replaces Practice Note No.10 – Swimming Pools on Public Land Water Safety (November1994) - and Practice Note No.11 – Beach Safety (March 1995). While primarily concerned with swimmingpools on public land and beaches, the Practice Note is also relevant for other waterways under councilcontrol that are used by the public, such as estuaries and lakes.Public swimming pools and beaches are amongst the most popular places of public recreation in NSW.Many local residents and tourists enjoy the sun, sand, surf and relaxed lifestyle typical of beaches in thisState. Public swimming pools provide an important venue for many forms of water sports, fitness and otherrecreational activities, and are enjoyed by significant numbers within the community throughout the yearand particularly in summer.While provision of beaches and public swimming pools is a worthwhile and popular undertaking, councilshave a responsibility to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to minimise the risk of injury and deaththat can be associated with the water. Local councils should already be familiar with this activity as onedeserving considerable attention from a risk management perspective.The Local Government Act 1993 does not currently prescribe any minimum requirements for water safety.However, in recognition of the priority placed by the NSW Government on ensuring that beaches, publicswimming pools and other waterways are safe for all users, the Department of Local Government hasprepared this Practice Note to assist councils to carry out their water safety functions.With regard to swimming pools on public land, this Practice Note is equally relevant to pools which thecouncil manages from its own resources; and to those which are managed by another person or body undera lease, licence or other arrangement involving the land and/or the facility.With regard to beaches, this Practice Note is equally relevant to beaches where the life saving function iscarried out by council employed lifeguards, or by contracted lifeguards, or by a volunteer surf life savingclub, or by a combination of these.The Practice Note has been prepared in consultation with organisations involved in water safety. Theseorganisations are listed in Section 11 Further Resources. Councils are encouraged to contact theseorganisations for further assistance.Practice Note 15: Water Safety1