Speak up and help prevent drownings


Every accessible beach and rock platformin the Clarence Valley is to be assessed as part of a statewide program aimed at preventing drownings.

The assessments will be done as part of Project Blueprint, a Clarence Valley Council - supported coastal risk project being run by Australian CoastSafe.
 
Council general manager and surf lifesaver, Scott Greensill, said most drownings were preventable and encouraged Clarence Valley residents to get behind the assessments and the community forums that go with them.
 
More than 350 people have drowned in NSW over the past 10 years. Surf Life Saving New South Wales says the causes are varied, but most are people caught in rip currents while swimming, or swept from rocks while fishing and almost all occur at unpatrolled locations or outside patrol hours.
 
Mr Greensill said the Clarence Valley had some of the best beaches and headlands in the country, but wanted to make sure people’s experience of them was not marred by tragedy.
 
“Project Blueprint is a fantastic initiative aimed at identifying any foreseeable risks and hazards along our area’s coastline as well as implementable safety mitigation measures,” he said.
 
“This project has the potential to make an immeasurable impact on the safety of beachgoers within the Clarence Valley.” As part of the assessment process, public forums will be conducted at:
 
Treelands Drive Community Centre, Yamba, from 10.30am - noon on Sunday July 27, and
Grafton Community and Function Centre, Duke Street, Grafton, from 6.30 - 8pm on Thursday July 31.
 

For more information visit Clarence Valley Council