Water safety organisations, community groups, and research bodies are encouraged to apply for the funding that will help educate and better equip people heading into the water at beaches, pools and inland waterways.
Priority will be given to initiatives that target high-risk groups and locations that have been identified in research by Royal Life Saving NSW, including:
- changing risk taking behaviour around the water
- encouraging parents to actively supervise young children (0-5 years) in, on and around the water
- reducing drowning risk at unpatrolled locations (including both coastal and inland waterways)
- CALD communities and international visitors (including international students)
- Aboriginal communities.
Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said the 2017-18 grant program has a stronger emphasis on collaborative initiatives between water safety organisations and community groups.
“After listening to feedback at the inaugural Water Safety Forum on 9 May, it was clear that many water safety and community-based organisations were working towards a common goal,” Mr Grant said.
“We want to bring water safety experts and community groups together to build water safety skills and resilience in our local communities.”
Water Safety Fund Community Grants Program applications closed on 4 August 2017.