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Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) have released the Victorian Public Pools: State of the Sector Report 2023-2024 - a comprehensive report providing insights into the size, scope, and performance of Victoria’s public aquatic facilities.

Focusing on participation trends, safety standards and workforce development, the report notes that swimming is the most popular activity among children and fifth among adults in Victoria.

It also shows a robust workforce, 58% female, with many employees working casually or while studying.

Safety and Performance
The report details Pool Safety Assessments (PSA) for 180 facilities, revealing an 11.6% increase in compliance and a 10.7% increase in safety scores compared to the previous three-year average. All-year facilities outperformed seasonal ones in safety metrics. Notably, children are identified as the group most at risk of non-fatal drowning incidents.

Key Initiatives
New and ongoing programs aim to enhance safety, workforce capacity, and inclusion:

• Swim Teacher Retention Framework: Developed to support swim teacher sustainability.
• SwimSafe Campaign: A partnership to boost water safety, particularly for vulnerable groups.
• Lifeguard on Watch: A BlueFit initiative using AI to improve lifeguard performance and safety.

Facilities and Accreditations
The report celebrates new and innovative facilities like the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre, which showcase sustainable design and community engagement. It also recognises facilities with gold, silver, and bronze safety accreditations.

Industry Recognition
It also highlights the sector’s achievements as acknowledged through the ARV and LSV awards, which recognise excellence in roles such as lifeguarding, swim teaching, and community impact.

Click here to view the full report.

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27th September 2024 - BlueFit to continue focus on safety and commits to further staff training on breastfeeding awareness

23rd August 2024 - Aquatic and recreation industry stakeholders come together to consider united industry representation

20th August 2024 - Drowning levels continue to increase despite ever increasing resources

15th August 2024 - Life Saving Victoria to partner with Aquatics and Recreation Victoria for 2024 industry conference

2nd July 2024 - ARV 2024 industry gala awards recognise achievements in Victorian aquatic industry

20th May 2024 - ARV and LSV partner in presenting 2024 Victorian Aquatics and Recreation Industry Conference

7th May 2024 - BlueFit and Fitness and Lifestyle Group announce learn to swim partnership

13th February 2024 - Life Saving Victoria’s report reveals the Y as leading in pool safety

23rd January 2024 - Ambulance Victoria and Life Saving Victoria reinforce need for caution around inland waterways

28th November 2023 - Victorian Government backs VICSWIM for another two years

15th September 2023 - Moonee Valley and BlueFit agree public-private partnership for investment in Riverside Sport and Recreation Precinct

31st August 2023 - ARV announces return of Advancing Women in Aquatics and Recreation leadership series

21st March 2023 - Lynxight Drowning Prevention Technology enters the Australian market

21st February 2023 - Victorian aquatics and recreation industry collaboration delivers successful inaugural diversity and inclusion in leisure forum

13th December 2022 - Aquatics and Recreation Victoria gets backing to deliver 300 entry-level industry jobs

12th September 2022 - VICSWIM receives $200,000 funding to help train and upskill swimming teachers

18th November 2019 - 2019 Life Saving Victoria Pool Safety Summit sees launch of State of the Sector report

26th November 2019 - Life Saving Victoria launches new SwimSafe safety campaign for public pools

8th March 2019 - Victoria’s aquatic peak bodies release Public Pools State of the Sector Report

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