'More needs to be done' to prevent river drownings: resident

Liz Pratt - a member of the Windsor Paddlesports Club - said she tried to revive a man who later died from drowning at the beach, and more needed to be done to warn adult males - who are over-represented for drowning deaths around Australia - of the dangers.

According to Royal Life Saving, across the country this summer, someone has died from drowning almost every day.

Men continue to be over-represented, accounting for 75 per cent of drowning deaths over this summer, with one-third of drowning deaths having occurred at inland waterway locations.

The life saving body said inland waterways were the leading location for drowning, and over the past 10 years, most drowning deaths in men had occurred at unpatrolled inland waterways such as rivers and creeks, accounting for 31 per cent of deaths - more than any other location.

According to Royal Life Saving, Hawkesbury River at Windsor and Wisemans Ferry is one of the top-10 river drowning locations around Australia.

Ms Pratt, who grew up on the river at Lower Portland, said "more needs to be done" to warn swimmers of the dangers - particularly visitors from other areas that don't know the risks.

"I know how dangerous the river can be," she told the Gazette, "but lots of families and teenagers, and grown men, they look at the river and think it's calm - but there are eddies - particularly after the recent floods - as well as debris under the water, strong currents, and the river is wider than a lot of people think."

Ms Pratt is calling for Hawkesbury City Council to expand the warnings on the signage they currently manage around the river and Windsor Beach, to include a warning that 'adults have drowned here'.

"At least people would have a warning," she said.

Hawkesbury City Council Director Infrastructure Services, Jeff Organ, told the Gazette in December that Council managed four separate signs at Macquarie Park identifying the potential hazards of the site and the various obstacles.

"The signage covers strong currents, submerged objects, shallow water, sudden drops and deep water," he said.

"Council is aware of the potential danger of swimming at Macquarie Park and does not promote swimming as an activity at this site. In the recent Love Your Hawkesbury Parkland brochure swimming at Macquarie Park is not promoted."

Mr Organ said Council actively promoted the water safety message through its social media, including Facebook posts and sharing NSW Police posts and in the past, Council had shared a video called 'Hawkesbury River - River Safety' produced by the NSW State Emergency Service.

"Council will also share relevant community information made available by the NSW State Emergency Service in future," he said.

"Council and the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia - NSW Branch have a continuing partnership to help inform the local community about the dangers around local waterways and other water sources.

"The Royal Life Saving Society also attended our Summer 2020 Community Pool Party to help promote the water safety message - never swim alone; wear life jackets when boating, jetskiing or fishing; avoid alcohol or other drugs when you're around water; and learn CPR and lifesaving skills."

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the issue warranted a closer look.

"Several people have raised this matter in recent days, particularly after the tragedy earlier this week," Ms Templeman told the Gazette on Thursday.

"Clearly what is being done is not enough.

"It's clear that people who know the river are aware of its dangers, but no one should come for a swim and not go home.

"I'd encourage the Council and State Government representatives to take a fresh look to see if there's more that can be done to prevent this tragic loss of life."