At the launch of the 2022/2023 Learn to Swim program were Berrigan War Memorial Pool lifeguard Gary Lehre, pool committee secretary Christina van Brockhusen, Murray Irrigation chair Noel Baxter, Berrigan Shire CEO Karina Ewer, Berrigan Public School leaders Tahlia Wood, Jack Magill, Crissa John and Tom Baxter and teacher Laura Keech.
Murray Irrigation is urging people not to swim in irrigation channels due to the safety hazards they contain.
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The warning comes at a time when there are calls for a focus on water safety following an increase in the number of drownings over the past year, including a spike in December and early January.
Water safety has long been a priority for Murray Irrigation, which has sponsored the region’s Learn to Swim program for nearly 20 years.
Murray Irrigation CEO Ron McCalman has encouraged young people to register for their school or swimming club Learn to Swim, and also reminded everyone to understand the risk of swimming in channels, which are designed for water delivery, not recreation.
He said there can be can unseen hazards beneath the surface, including submerged objects or weeds.
There can also be strong undercurrents, as large quantities of water are being transported along channels, plus the danger of snakes and spiders which often make their home near an outlet.
There is also now an increased risk of sudden changes to water flows due to the use of modern technology to control these flows.
Mr McCalman explained that in the past, water flows throughout the Murray Irrigation water delivery network were controlled by the manual removal of bars from gates.
The now automated system, with gates replaced with remotely controlled regulators can cause sudden changes to the flow or depth of a channel without warning.
“There is a danger that channel regulators or outlets can move without warning and crush or trap swimmers,” he said.
“To ensure there are no incidents in our channels, including the tragedy of a drowning, we ask everyone to avoid swimming in them.
“Unauthorised access to Murray Irrigation infrastructure and swimming in channels is prohibited, so please do the right thing and stay safe.”
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