Assessing and managing recreational waterways for human health risks
Our recreational waterways, from beaches to inland creeks and rivers, are the focus of economic, social, tourist and recreational activities. A recent community survey highlighted that over 89% of our community rate the recreational value of South East Queensland’s (SEQ) waterways as either high or very high.
The Healthy Waterplay Program is a new regional initiative of Healthy Waterways which has support from many of our members, as well as universities and relevant state bodies such as the Queensland Department of Health and Seqwater.
Healthy Waterplay aims to enhance the safe recrational use of South East Queensland’s waterways through the implementation of a risk management program which focuses on educating and supporting South East Queensland communities in making an informed decision on whether or not it is safe to enter the waterways.
This will involve the development of communications and educational resources, as well as best practice management of recreational waterways by our local government members.
To help build capacity, Healthy Waterways and the Queensland Department of Health developed a training course and manual for identifying, assessing and managing health risks in SEQ’s recreational waterways. This was the first time this type of training has been conducted in Queensland. For more information, please contact Anne Cleary.
Resources
Healthy Waterplay Key Messages Brochure – for top tips on how to stay safe in our waterways.
Healthy Waterplay Factsheet – for further information and advice on the safe use of recreational waterways.
