Coastal Safety and Hazards in NSW National Parks

Synopsis

Approximately 50% of the New South Wales coastline is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) who face a considerable challenge keeping visitors safe while, at the same time, maintaining the values of National Parks. Unfortunately many drownings occur in beaches and coastal waterways in National Parks, mostly due to the lack of lifeguards and remoteness. This project involves examining the nature of the drowning problem in National Parks and investigates ways that the NPWS can educate visitors. The project will involve analysis of existing incident data related to physical coastal environments and data collected by surveys of park users at various National Parks in NSW. The project will be conducted with the UNSW Beach Safety Group and NPWS. Funding is provided to support the project.

Aims

This project aims to identify relationships between physical characteristics and visitor understanding in relation to physical hazards in National Parks in NSW. Outcomes will help influence future NPWS visitor safety interventions.

Students benefits

Students will gain valuable experience in a range of data collection and analysis methods and will work on a project that will have significant practical outcomes that will be of benefit to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as other organisations interested in beach safety. It is intended that this project will lead to a publication in a scientific journal.

Supervisor: Professor Rob Brander