We have made the very difficult decision to close the Burpengary Aquatic Centre, effective 12pm on friday 6 October 2023.

The pool was constructed in the early 1980’s and is in need of significant structural repairs or redevelopment. Royal Life Saving have taken the very difficult decision to close the centre whilst repairs and re-development options are considered.

Arrangements have been made with alternate aquatic facilities in the area to ensure that children who are enrolled in lessons have the option of moving to a neighbouring swim centre. Existing Burpengary Aquatics customers will be offered 4 weeks free learn to swim at nearby aquatic facilities.

A full refund of fees will be provided to all customers who have pre-paid fees. We will communicate the refund process to those affected customers in the coming days via our Burpengary Aquatics website.

Royal Life Saving has arrangements in place to support Burpengary Aquatic staff at this very difficult time for them, including potential for employment at other aquatic centres.

View our media release here below

Royal Life Saving releases it's annual report for the financial year (June 2023). The society continued to provide increased services to the Queensland community, with significantly increased activity in community programs, training and other activity.

Society President, Ms Nicky Sloan said "As your newly appointed President, I'm both honoured and excited about our journey ahead". Executive Director Mr Paul Barry said "Our need as important now, as it was in 1905. In the last 12 months , there have been far too many lives lost to drowning, the majority of these could have been avoided".

The National Drowning Report 2023, developed by Royal Life Saving – Australia in partnership with
Surf Life Saving Australia, provides an analysis of fatal drowning between 1 July 2022 and 30 June
2023.

The analysis shows that 281 people lost their lives to drowning in Australia last financial year.
Nationally, the number of drowning fatalities in children aged 0-4 years (16 deaths, 6%) was 33 per
cent below the ten-year average.

57% of drowning deaths were people over the age of 45 years.

Drowning was above the 10-year average for all age groups 45 years and older except for 65-74,
where there was no change.

The leading drowning locations for nationally were rivers/creeks (76 deaths, 27%), beaches (75
deaths, 27%), and ocean/harbours (33 deaths, 10%).

The National Drowning Report analysis also shows that those residing in regional and remote areas
drown at higher rates compared to those residing in major ci􀆟es, and that those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas drown at higher rates that those in advantaged areas.

National Drowning Report 2023 for Queensland

• 2022/23 drowning deaths: 61
• 10-year average: 66
• This is an 8% decrease compared to the 10-year average
• 2022/23 drowning fatal drowning rate per 100,000: 1.15
• 10-Year Average Fatal Drowning Rate per 100,000: 1.35
• This is a 15% decrease compared to the 10-year average

QLD 2022/23 Facts:

• 70% of all drowning deaths in Queensland were males (43 deaths)
• 20% of drowning deaths adults aged 45-54 years (12 deaths).
• 10% of drowning deaths children under 5 years of age (6 deaths).
• Top 3 locations
  • 28% of drowning deaths occurred at River/creek locations (17 deaths)
  • 23% of drowning deaths occurred at a Beach (14 deaths)
  • 21% of drowning deaths occurred at Ocean/harbour locations (13 deaths)
• Top 2 activities:
  • 39% of drowning deaths occurred while swimming and recreating (24 deaths)
  • 16% of drowning deaths occurred while boa􀆟ng (10 deaths)

President of Royal Life Saving Queensland, Mr Les Mole, has stepped down from the role. Royal Life Saving would like to thank Mr Les Mole for his service to Royal Life Saving. Mr Mole departs as President after many years on the Queensland board.

Mr Mole commenced with Royal Life Saving Queensland as Executive Director in 1994, a role he held for 10 years until 2004. Following this, Les became a board member holding the offices of Treasurer, Secretary, Deputy President and most recently, President. Les was also on the RLSSA National Board from 1994 to 2011 and was also a member of the Rescue Committee of the International Life Saving Federation. Les is a Life Member, trainer and assessor for Royal Life Saving and has authored several publications including Free Chlorine, a book on the history of RLSSQ and the story of China Life Saving.

The board would like to thank Les for his outstanding service to Royal Life Saving over the years and wish him all the best for his future.

The South East Queensland Water Safety Strategy 2023 - 2027 was released yesterday by Royal Life Saving - Australia.

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This Strategy was developed from a Forum in 15 - 16 May 2023, which saw more than 120 delegates from over 45 organisations meet together to develop a collective water safety strategy for the South East Queensland region. The forum, co-hosted by Royal Life Saving Society - Queensland and City of Gold Coast, came about as a result of Royal Life Saving research, which found that 366 people had drowned in the region in the last 10 years, making the region a drowning blackspot region.

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It was found that 30% of drownings occurred in a river or creek, 33% while swimming or recreating, and 30% at the Gold Coast. A Strategic Framework has been proposed following a review of available drowning data, media reports, the lived-experiences of the individuals, groups and agencies represented at the engagement forum. These accounts reflect where the burden of drowning is highest, where the issues are most preventable and whether the local issues are sufficiently defined and understood so that actions can be targeted.

The Sunshine Coast is well-known for its many popular swimming spots and water-based activities. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the water safely. Royal Life Saving Queensland are inviting Migrant residents of the Sunshine Coast to attend the Migrant Water Safety Program. The classes will incorporate water confidence skills, personal water safety awareness, survival and rescue techniques, and basic swim skills.

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6 Week Program - Registration Now closed for 6 Week Program

What: 6 Pool classes (with included welcome day; the perfect opportunity to meet your instructors, fellow participants and become familiar with the Aquatic Centre) and 1 FREE beach day.

When: Pool classes are on 14 October - 18 November on Saturdays at 11-11.45am.

Free beach safety awareness day is on 28 October at 9.30-11.30am OR 1.30-3.30pm.

Where: Pool classes are at Goodlife Community Centre Buderim.

Beach day is at Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.

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Intensive Sessions

October - Registration Now closed for October Intensive Sessions

What: 5 Pool classes and 1 FREE beach day.

When: Pool classes are on 23 - 27 October at 9-10am OR 4.30-5.30pm.

Free beach safety awareness day is on 28 October at 9.30-11.30am OR 1.30-3.30pm.

Where: Pool classes are at Nambour Aquatic Centre.
Beach day is at Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.

November

What: 5 pool classes and 1 FREE beach day.

When: Pool classes are on 20 - 24 November at 9-10am OR 4.30-5.30pm.

Free beach safety awareness day is on 25 November at 9.30-11.30am OR 1.30-3.30pm.

Where: Pool classes are at Nambour Aquatic Centre.
Beach day is at Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.

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* Numbers will be limited per session.

A new financial year means it is time to renew your facility’s subscription to the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO).

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The GSPO are the recognised national industry standards that describe and make recommendations on the appropriate minimum standards of safety attached to the design, ownership, and operations of aquatic facilities. They provide a recognised standard of care in particular areas of design and operations.

All aquatic facility designers, owners and operators are strongly recommended to access and understand the GSPO to meet their obligations under the relevant State and/or Territory health and safety legislation.

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Multiple subscriptions

Subscribers can easily register up to 10 facilities or users to a subscription with the option to pay by credit card or invoice. There are discounts available of up to 10% for up to 10 facilities.

For subscribers with more than 10 facilities or users, a formalised Management Subscription service is available. The Management Subscription option applies to organisations who are either managing multiple aquatic facilities or are a member-based association whose membership includes aquatic facilities. Discounts up to 30% are available for subscribers with more than 10 facilities.

To arrange a Management Subscription, please contact: aquatics@rlssa.org.au

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“Renew in the first week of July to enter the draw to win a ticket to the World Conference on Drowning Prevention – valued at $875.”

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Renew in July to avoid CPI increase

There will be no increase in price for GSPO subscribers if subscription/renewal takes place in July. However, a CPI price increase will be applied from 1 August.

Management agreements must be renewed and paid for in July to avoid the CPI increase. CPI is currently 7%.