The City of Bayswater has discontinued the free public Wi-Fi service at its popular Bayswater Waves facility in Embleton, a decision aimed at enhancing child safety through active supervision.
Noranda resident Harvey Tonkin questioned the council about the removal of the public guest Wi-Fi login that was previously available at Bayswater Waves and other city facilities. In the council meeting notes for this month, city officers explained that the free Wi-Fi was removed from the aquatic area to align with the Watch Around Water initiative. This program promotes a safety-first approach by encouraging parents and guardians to provide active, distraction-free supervision of children.
Bayswater Waves offers a wide range of aquatic facilities, including a wave pool, indoor waterslide, indoor and outdoor pools, a hydrotherapy pool, a toddler pool, and a lazy river. It also hosts group fitness programs and is used for events and school swimming carnivals throughout the year.
The Watch Around Water initiative, led by Royal Life Saving WA and supported by LIWA Aquatics, is implemented across metropolitan and regional aquatic centres. It encourages strong supervision practices for children, particularly those under 10, to reduce drowning incidents and water-related injuries. The program's message, "Your Child. Your Focus," reminds families that lifeguards are not a substitute for parental supervision. While lifeguards are trained to respond to emergencies, the primary responsibility for monitoring children rests with parents and guardians.
Under the program's guidelines, children under five must be kept within arm's reach of a responsible adult aged 16 or over, including being in the water with them. For children under 10, supervision must be constant and within clear line of sight. A list of Watch Around Water endorsed pools is available on the Royal Life Saving WA website.
