Member for Hawkesbury – Hon Dominic Perrottet MP

WATER SAFETY GRANTS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS NOW

Applications are now open for organisations in the Hawkesbury to improve water safety in the community and help prevent drownings throughout NSW. Last summer, 41 people tragically drowned at a range of locations across the state. Whether in the surf at the beach, kayaking on a lake or river, out on a boat or taking a dip in the backyard swimming pool, it’s important to recognise that where there’s water, there maybe danger.

To ensure we don’t experience another horror summer season, community-based organisations that run water safety initiatives are urged to apply for funding.”

The Water Safety Fund Community Grants Program will prioritise initiatives that target high-risk groups and locations, identified in research undertaken by Royal Life Saving Society Australia for the government.

This includes projects that focus on:

• encouraging parents to actively supervise their children around water;
• changing the risk-taking behaviour of men;
• highlighting the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled locations; and
• educating Aboriginal communities, CALD communities, and international visitors

Grants range from $25,000 to $250,000, and collaborative projects between water safety and community organisations will be given precedence.

Mr Perrottet said each drowning death in the community is one too many.

“Let’s work together to make the 2017-18 summer season a safe one.”

Applications for the Water Safety Fund Community Grants Program close on 4 August 2017.

For information on how to apply, visit: https://www.watersafety. nsw.gov.au/Pages/water-safety-fund/Water-Safety-Fund.aspx.

The Summer Drowning Report 16/17 by Royal Life Saving is also available at: https://www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au.