COASTAL safety is up for discussion at a number of community forums across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
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The forums are part of a statewide public safety assessment called Project Blueprint, headed by Surf Life Saving NSW.
The unprecedented four-year study of the state’s coastline aims to help reduce drowning fatalities by assessing every coastal spot in NSW, including beaches and rock platforms.
More than 400 people have drowned along the coast in the past decade.
Since 2004 there have been five coastal drownings in Newcastle and another five in Lake Macquarie.
These statistics exclude the notorious area between Catherine Hill Bay and Snapper Point in Munmorah Reserve as it was part of a separate study.
The Surf Rescue Emergency Response system has logged 88 major incidents between the two council areas in the past seven years.
The vast majority of deaths were caused by people getting caught in rips while swimming or being swept from rocks while fishing.
Almost all of the incidents occurred at unpatrolled locations or outside patrol hours.
Surf Life Saving NSW has urged residents to attend one of the forums to share their knowledge and experiences of the coast to inform strategies to prevent future drownings.
Project Blueprint is being delivered as part of the state government Water Safety Blackspots Program by the Surf Life Saving NSW Australian CoastSafe Department with the support of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils and the regional divisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Community forum details:
Newcastle
- Saturday, February 13, 4.30pm to 6pm at Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club
- Sunday, February 14, 2.30pm to 4pm at Newcastle Surf Club
- Sunday, February 14, 5.30pm to 7pm at Stockton Surf Club
Lake Macquarie
- Tuesday, February 16, 6.30pm to 8pm at Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club
- Wednesday, February 17, 6.30pm to 8pm at Redhead Surf Life Saving Club