Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Life Saving Victoria 2024-25 Drowning Report reveals alarming increases, with 52 deaths and 123 non-fatal incidentsLife Saving Victoria’s 2024-25 Drowning Report reveals 52 deaths and 123 non-fatal incidents, exceeding 10-year averages, with rises among youth, seniors, multicultural communities, and during traditionally cooler months. By news@gippsland - 3rd December 2025 - Back to News Alarming increases in drowning deaths during traditionally cooler months have been brought to light in a new report from Life Saving Victoria (LSV). The 2024-2025 Drowning Report, released by LSV today, recorded a total of 52 fatal and 123 non-fatal drowning incidents during the last financial year, above the 10-year averages for both figures. 
LSV’s 2024-25 Drowning Report reveals alarming increases, with 52 deaths and 123 non-fatal incidents, particularly among youth, seniors, and multicultural communities Seasonal drowning spikeA substantial increase in drownings over autumn was recorded with 14 deaths between March and May, the highest number in 12 years and 49 per cent higher than the decade average. This mirrors the large number of incidents observed over spring this year (not part of the report), when 12 deaths were recorded between September and November, the highest number since 2001. Summer consistently records the highest number of drownings of any season, with 23 incidents over the 2024-25 period. This points to hotter and longer summer weather stretching into traditionally cooler months, and more people visiting beaches and waterways over this time. Drowning risk insightsThe report also found drowning deaths among 15 to 24-year-olds were 27 percent above the 10-year average. People aged 65 and older had the highest drowning rate of any age group, with 1.03 deaths per 100,000 people. This compares to .75 drowning deaths for the overall population. More than a third of drowning fatalities (37 per cent) between 2015 and 2025 involved people from multicultural backgrounds. This figure is likely conservative given the country of birth is unknown among 22 percent of incidents. Drowning rates riseLife Saving Victoria's Manager – Research and Evaluation Dr Hannah Graefe said a whole-of-community response was required to bring about a sustained reduction in drowning incidents. "Fifty-two people lost their lives to drowning in the 2024-25 financial year, and a further 123 people experienced a non-fatal drowning incident that can have lifelong impacts on those involved." "These figures are both above their respective 10-year averages, pointing to a concerning upward trend in drowning incidents across the state. We must all work together as a community to bring these numbers down," Dr. Graefe said. The Drowning Report is released every year to provide information and insights to help LSV, its partners and policymakers target the underlying factors behind drownings and reduce incidents and fatalities. For further information contact the LSV Media team or 03 9676 6970. Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Venus Bay IRB Women's Rescue Team, Morrie Tatnell and Jessica Woodward recognised as one of the winners for the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence 2026
Life Saving Victoria celebrates volunteer lifesavers, aquatic professionals and organisations at Awards of Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions to keeping Victoria’s waterways safe. - Dark fairytales spring to life as acclaimed Shake & Stir Theatre Co returns to Berninneit with GRIMM on 18 August 2026
Shake & Stir Theatre Co returns to Berninneit on August 18 with GRIMM, a visually spectacular reimagining of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales for audiences aged 14 and over. - Gippsland Water reports progress on major projects, renewable energy and community engagement commitments
Gippsland Water’s 2026 Community Report highlights progress on major infrastructure projects, achieving 100 per cent renewable energy, emergency support initiatives and increased community engagement through its Sounding Board. - Victoria funds hundreds of landcare projects with $3.58M environmental investment across communities and regions
Victoria’s 2026 Landcare Grants provide $3.58 million statewide, including $337,250 for West Gippsland projects restoring habitat, waterways and landscapes while supporting volunteers, families and young people. - Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities. - Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund. - Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements. - Latrobe City Council ranks among Victoria's Top Five for Community Satisfaction in 2026 Snap Send Solve index
Latrobe City Council has ranked fifth in Victoria for community satisfaction, scoring 64.6 in the 2026 Snap Send Solve Index, exceeding both national and Victorian averages. - RACV survey highlights Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, prompting renewed calls for improved safety
RACV’s 2026 survey ranks Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, citing potholes, poor surfaces and safety issues. Nationals MP Danny O’Brien has outlined a $5 billion regional roads commitment. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing. - South Gippsland offers more than 40 free and low-cost activities during Victorian Seniors Festival month this October
South Gippsland will celebrate Victorian Seniors Festival month in October with more than 40 free and low-cost activities, including movement, sport, socialising, learning, arts, culture and creative events for seniors. - Latrobe Leisure Morwell earns Gold Safety Accreditation for highest aquatic safety standards recognition achieved
Latrobe Leisure Morwell earned Life Saving Victoria’s Gold Safety Accreditation after achieving 100 percent compliance and a safety score above 95 percent, recognising exceptional aquatic safety, operations and risk management standards. - Wellington Shire Council opposes mandatory fourth glass recycling bin, urging Victoria to allow council flexibility instead
Wellington Shire Council has again urged the Victorian government to scrap mandatory household glass bins, citing costs, practicality and existing Container Deposit Scheme success while seeking greater flexibility for regional councils. - Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to include the region among Victoria's three free dental clinic locations
Latrobe City Council urges Premier Ben Carroll to select Latrobe City for a free regional dental clinic, improving affordable healthcare access and reducing cost-of-living pressures. - Latrobe City Council records strongest planning performance, leads Victoria in statutory decision timeframes
Latrobe City Council has achieved its strongest planning performance, with 95.44 percent of applications decided within statutory timeframes following streamlined delegation reforms introduced in May 2025. - Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures. - Latrobe City Council pushes for jobs, investment, housing and community safety during Victorian Parliament delegation
Latrobe City Council has urged Victorian leaders to back jobs, housing, investment, community safety, energy transition projects and infrastructure to strengthen long-term regional economic growth. - Statement from CEO Tilla Buden - Councillor Ben Lucas to contest Victorian state election
West Ward Councillor Ben Lucas will contest the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. He plans to seek leave from Council, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure Council operations and procedures continue during his absence. - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - Productivity Commission backs Peri Urban Councils' call for infrastructure before housing targets across Victoria
The Productivity Commission has backed Peri Urban Councils Victoria's call to link housing targets with funded infrastructure, supporting development, coordinated planning and financing for 85,450 new homes across five Victorian growth councils. - The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
|
|
