Western Australia has endorsed a new national framework and best practice guidelines for the WA outdoor recreation industry.
The Australian Adventure Activity Standard and Good Practice Guides are the result of a four-year project to harmonise existing state adventure activities into a national voluntary framework for good practice, risk and safety management.
The framework aims to improve the safety of outdoor recreation activities, while helping to protect an area's environmental and cultural heritage.
The Australian Adventure Activity Standard outlines requirements for operators and businesses in areas such as planning, risk management and emergency management planning.
The Good Practice Guides cover 18 activities including angling, bushwalking, camping, caving, cycling and mountain biking, horse riding and kayaking.
Until now, each state had maintained its own set of guidelines for outdoor activities. This new national approach will make it easier for providers of outdoor activities to operate in multiple jurisdictions and improve safety.
The framework was developed with the help of a steering committee which included Outdoors WA, the Outdoor Council of Australia, Queensland's Outdoor Recreation Federation, Recreation SA, Outdoors NSW and Outdoors Victoria, as well as government agencies representing the ACT, Northern Territory, and Tasmania.
The steering committee also received advice from nearly 100 technical experts across Australia.
The Australian Adventure Activity Standard and Good Practice Guides are available at http://www.australianaas.org.au
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
"The new national standard and practice guides are a valuable resource for all operators and providers of outdoor adventure activities in Western Australia, and across Australia.
"Having consistent guidelines is a great result for nature-based tourism, trails and bushwalking operators, outdoor education, and outdoor recreation groups and businesses, as well as participants themselves.
"I'd encourage all providers of outdoor adventure activities to consider their safety management and activity practices in line with this new framework so they can offer quality outdoor experiences."
As stated by Outdoors WA executive officer Jamie Bennett:
"The Australian Adventure Activity Standards is a culmination of four years' work between Outdoors WA and partners across Australia. We welcome and will support the framework in WA.
"With clear guidance on safety and good practice we can be assured of protecting the environment whilst increasing participation in the outdoors.
"All WA adventure providers can freely access the standard and enhance their own practices.
"Outdoors WA is the peak body for outdoor recreation and outdoor education in WA and supports increased outdoor adventuring for the many health and wellness benefits it brings."
