NEW SCHEMES TO IMPROVE SURF SAFETY

The Beattie Government will increase surf safety on Queensland beaches with a series of new initiatives, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech said a recent meeting of the Queensland Visitor Safety Working Group set in motion plans for a range of new surf safety programs.

“Urging airlines to show surf safety messages on incoming flights, educating lifesavers about cultural differences and exploring new ways to push the surf safety message are among the latest schemes,” she said.

Mrs Keech said the plans were formulated following the Visitor Water Safety Summit convened in early-January, she said.

“I called that meeting to discuss the adequacy of existing safety initiatives after two tragic drownings and five near-drownings on the Gold Coast,” she said.

“There has been another drowning and scores of serious incidents on beaches since.

“Although the number of drownings on Queensland beaches continues to decrease, one death is one too many.

“But we are committed to looking at new approaches to help achieve the goal of zero preventable deaths and injuries on the State’s beaches.”

Mrs Keech said the Working Group would approach key airlines asking them to help communicate safety messages to passengers on incoming flights.

Airports would also be approached about displaying safety messages.

“We will also discuss with Main Roads the possibility of including simple surf safety messages on road signs reminding visitors to swim between the flags and to check conditions,” Mrs Keech said.

“Educating lifesavers and lifeguards about how different cultures behave on the beach and boosting their profile among inbound tour operators is another option.

“Last week I told inbound tourism operators from around Queensland and Australia attending an Australian Tourism Export Council familiarisation on the Gold Coast that they had a vital role to play in educating tourists. I told them they were in a position to save lives.”

Mrs Keech said representatives of Surf Lifesaving Queensland would be included at major industry events, such as the Australian Tourism Exchange, to be held in Brisbane in May.

“This will give the inbound tourism industry an insight into the role of lifesavers and increase awareness of the absolute necessity to swim between the red and yellow flags,” she said.

“I want lifesavers to have access to tourism industry seminars on international markets to help them understand different cultures and visitor behaviours.”

Mrs Keech said other initiatives being considered included extending the existing Beach Walk scheme for large tour groups and creating surf lifesaver ambassador and industry champions programs.

The Beattie Government also wanted to see surf safety information included with Electronic Travel Authority visas and improved information available for inbound operators and tour guides to pass on to tourists, she said.

Media Contacts: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005 or 0409 496534