Edition 59, August 2008

Adventure activity standards under development in Qld

The Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation has been commissioned by the Department of Sport and Recreation to undertake a project to produce Queensland's Adventure Activity Standards (QAAS).

The Adventure Activity Standards are minimum, voluntary guidelines on how to conduct an outdoor recreation activity and cover aspects of safety, planning, environment and equipment.

There are 15 adventure activities which are the subject of this project. They include: 

  • abseiling
  • artificial climbing structures
  • bushwalking
  • canoeing/kayaking
  • challenge ropes courses
  • trail horse riding
  • mountain biking
  • rock climbing
  • recreational angling
  • recreational caving
  • river rafting
  • surfing
  • snorkelling, scuba and wildlife swims
  • trail bike touring
  • four wheel driving.

A major component of the project will be the consultation with outdoor and adventure tourism providers, which has seen workshops held throughout Queensland to discuss the content and implementation of the QAAS.

The QAAS project is being overseen by the Department of Sport and Recreation with a dedicated AAS Project Officer. The project will also be operating under the guidance of a committee made up of representatives from 16 state government agencies who will review project methodology and outcomes.

Adventure Activity Standards were first developed in Victoria in 2003 to assist organisations conducting outdoor recreation activities for dependent groups to advise them of the minimal safety, environmental and risk management standards as agreed upon after extensive consultation.

In 2004, the Sport and Recreation Ministers' Council endorsed a proposal for each state and territory to institute its own variation of the AAS. The Victorian version of the AAS has since been adopted and modified by Tasmania and South Australia. Western Australia has also begun their consultation to determine their version of AAS. In NSW, the Outdoor Recreation Industry Council has appointed a Project Officer to commence their project.

It is expected that the standards will be complete by the end of the year.

For more information on the Queensland Adventure Activity Standard visit www.qorf.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1048

For more information on Adventure Activity Standards in other states and territories visit www.qorf.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=1057

This page was generated on 04 January, 2010

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