Water safety essential for Townsville this Christmas
Date published: 14 December 2023
Townsville residents are being urged to brush up on their water safety practices as blow-up pools and slip-and-slides get pulled out of the shed this festive season.
Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said water safety was essential for all residents to practice.
“Water safety encompasses everything from effectively supervising children to fencing to not swimming while under the influence. Every decision around water is critical to ensuring safety for everyone this festive season,” Cr Soars said.
“I’m strongly urging all adults to keep a close eye on children if they’re near a pool, creek or at the beach.
“Avoid entering storm water or flood waters, as there can be a risk of wildlife, diseases and hidden obstacles. Heavy rain can create currents that can sweep both children and adults away, so avoid playing in drains, spillways and swollen rivers or creeks.”
Cr Soars said pools and spas at home must be compliant with the Queensland Development Code.
“If you have a pool at home it needs to be fenced correctly. Portable pools and spas need to be fenced if they’re deeper than 30cm, and the same rules apply for fences around inflatable pools, in-ground pools and above-ground pools,” he said.
“Council has recently installed new safety fencing around its lower Riverway lagoon to increase safety for the community, with works to start on the upper lagoon in late January.
“Both lagoons are open for use for the school holidays, with access to the lower lagoon available from the Citylibraries Riverway side of the pool.”
To learn more about pool fencing requirements, head to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s website.
