1. Program Overview

The Park of the Month program offers guided walks in Queensland’s protected areas to connect communities with nature through safe, inclusive and health-focused outdoor recreation. Delivered by trained leaders in partnership with QPWS&P, this SWMS outlines the minimum safety standards and planning protocols required for each walk.

 

2. Activity Breakdown & Associated Hazards

Activity	Potential Hazard	Potential Risk	Control Measures
Arrival/Departure	Vehicle traffic in carparks	Injury from moving vehicles	Designated meeting point, signage, leader supervision
Walking trail navigation	Uneven surfaces, rocks, mud	Slips, trips, sprains, falls	Trail classification considered, suitable footwear required
Weather exposure	Heat, rain, storms	Heatstroke, hypothermia, lightning	Check forecast, sun protection, hydration, delay/cancel if unsafe
Wildlife encounters	Snakes, insects, mammals	Bites, stings, and zoonotic disease	Keep distance, no feeding/touching,First Aid kit available
Environmental terrain	Steep slopes, water crossings	Injury from falls or overexertion	Use of Class 1–4 trails only, rest breaks, assess fitness levels
Group movement	Separation or fatigue	Lost person, exhaustion	Headcounts, tail leader assigned, regular stops, contact Ranger
Emergency response	Remote location	Delayed emergency access	Emergency plan, contact list, mobile/radio carried

 

3. Emergency Procedures

• Facilitators carry First Aid kits at all times.
• Emergency assembly point identified for each site.
• Contact numbers for QPWS Rangers and emergency services are documented.
• Leaders trained in First Aid and briefed on local evacuation plans.

 

4. Supervision & Competency

• Minimum group size: 3 people
• Maximum group size: 20–46 (depending on trail class)
• Leader-to-participant ratio: at least 1:10, minimum 2 adults for all public events

All Activity Leaders must: 

• be familiar with the activity site
• hold or be accompanied by someone with First Aid certification
• undergo induction and briefing on safety and emergency procedures.

 

5. Equipment & PPE

• Participants: Enclosed shoes, hats, sunscreen, water (min. 1 L).
• Leaders: First Aid kit, emergency contacts, mobile phone/radio, printed trail map.

 

6. Legislative Compliance

All activities comply with the following:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) 

• Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) 

• Blue Card Services requirements for activities involving children.

 

7. Reference Documents

This SWMS is informed by and aligned with the following key standards and guidelines:

• Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS) – Core Good Practice Guide v1.0 (australianaas.org.au)
• Bushwalking Good Practice Guide v1.0 (australianaas.org.au)
• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) operational procedures
• NPAQ Parks Connect Program documents and site-specific risk assessments.

These documents provide best practice frameworks for safety, leadership, environmental care and participant management in outdoor activities.