Public forums to address drownings

REDUCING drownings at black spots on the Far North Coast will be the hot topic this weekend at a series of public forums conducted by Surf Lifesaving NSW.

Project Blueprint, which is being delivered by Austra- lian CoastSafe, aims to de- velop strategies to reduce drownings across NSW by 50% by 2020.

Ballina, Byron and Tweed beaches were assessed by the Australian CoastSafe team in late 2012, but before a report is released the project is seeking input from locals.

Locals are invited to provide their drowning prevention strategies at forums at Ballina, Byron Bay and Kingscliff on Saturday.

Feedback will be combined with the CoastSafe assessment and used to provide evidence-based recommendations to governments at a local state and federal level.

Project manager Adam Weir said Project Blueprint is working with local communities to develop intervention strategies at the water's edge.

"In order to identify and address the unique needs of each local environment we need to speak with the people that know and love these areas," he said.

"The upcoming public forums will be an ideal way to achieve this."

Saturday's forum times

Ballina: 9-10.30am

Location: The Richmond Room, 5 Regatta Ave

Byron Bay: Noon-1.30pm.

Location: Byron Bay Surf Club

Kingscliff: 3-4.30pm

Location: Cudgen Headland Surf Club