Safety plan for freshwater and saltwater

Our waterways connect Aboriginal people to their families, history and culture and are used for economic and social purposes.

We recognise the Aboriginal cultural values of waterways, the survival of freshwater and saltwater culture in NSW and the importance of waterways to the safety, health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

The NSW Government’s inaugural Aboriginal Maritime Safety Plan 2020-22 supports the vision of Transport’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021, particularly the building and strengthening of relationships and respecting and celebrating culture.

The safety plan was developed with the Aboriginal community, for the community, to identify opportunities to change behaviours and help reduce fatalities and serious injuries involving Aboriginal people on NSW waterways. It also seeks to contribute to improved cultural, educational and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Core principles of the strategy are:

• Increase engagement with Aboriginal people in the NSW Government’s safe systems approach to waterway safety
• Collaborate with Aboriginal communities to co-design and target the delivery of culturally relevant boating safety programs
• Increase the participation of Aboriginal people in the maritime economy using a pathway of engagement through boating safety.