Water safety is a shared responsibility

Published on 10 January 2018

Boating Safety Officers from Marine Safety Victoria will be in Horsham tomorrow to answer water safety questions and provide general water safety advice. Education officers will be available at the Drummond Street boat ramp on Thursday, 11 January 2018, between 4pm and 7pm.  They will provide safety tips and conduct checks on lifejackets and boating requirements.

Technical Services Director John Martin said that the activity reflects an important partnership between Marine Safety Victoria and the Horsham Rural City Council.

“Water safety is a shared responsibility and we are keen to develop partnerships and programs to ensure people can safely enjoy our river and the attractions it provides. It is a wonderful community asset and we encourage people in kayaks, canoes and other water craft such as motorised boats to use the Wimmera River.  The water is a shared asset and we are developing guidelines to encourage increased and safer usage of the river,” he said.

Mr Martin said that it was pleasing to see the Anzac Centenary Pedestrian Bridge being well utilised.  The new bridge connects both sides of the river with walking and cycling tracks from the Wimmera River bridge to the weir on the north side, and there are plans underway to complete a walking track along the south side.

“It has recently come to our attention that some swimmers are using the bridge to jump into the river. This is extremely dangerous as water in the river is shallow.  We ask swimmers to observe the safety warning signs.  We want people to stay safe around water, be aware of risks, look out for each other and enjoy the opportunities that our magnificent Wimmera River provides,” he said. 

Further details are available on the Maritime Safety Victoria website:

http://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/newsroom/safe-boating-season-launch-2017

http://transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety/newsroom/summer-safety-2016-17