Socio Economic Benefits of Safe Swimming Areas
Whilst there has been no formal research or study done into the benefits of creating safe swimming spaces, anecdotal reports suggest that they are bringing many positive benefits to the communities installing them.
Dunsborough
Installing a Beach enclosure or barrier net is all about giving people confidence. Confidence that they can safely take their family swimming at the beach.
In preparing the Review on the Dunsborough Shark Net, members of the public were asked for their thoughts:
Great feeling of safety from sharks… making it a very relaxed swim. I wish more popular beaches were able to install these enclosures. Hopefully the net will stay there permanently
When installed at popular beaches, like Busselton, the swimming enclosure itself becomes an attraction. Installing safe swimming areas creates tangible social benefits for communities.
People seek peace of mind and a feeling of safety when entering the water within the enclosure. The installation of the inflatable water park during the Summer months at Busselton is a great example of how creating a safe swimming space can then lead to other activations, and attract visitors.
Additionally, the swimming enclosure also gives parents peace of mind by creating a clearly demarcated area for kids to swim within, plus the top float line is a safe, buoyant place for swimmers to rest. Plus after time in the water, barrier nets attract algae and over time grow into a mini marine microcosm, attracting fish, and this makes for interesting snorkelling.