Coast Safe Report
Surf Life Saving Queensland
Project overview
The Coast Safe Report is a flagship publication produced by Surf Life Saving Queensland, offering a comprehensive snapshot of aquatic incidents and fatalities across Queensland’s coastline. It combines key statistics, research insights, and strategic updates to inform government bodies, media, and key stakeholders about the state of coastal and aquatic safety in the region.
The report plays a crucial role in guiding drowning prevention strategies, highlighting emerging safety challenges, and communicating the organisation’s response through initiatives, public education, and legislative advocacy.
Impact
The Coast Safe Report became a trusted, evidence-based resource that helped shape conversations around aquatic safety and funding across Queensland. Its clear, compelling format ensured the message was heard by decision-makers, including:
Government ministers and departments
Regional councils and tourism bodies
Media outlets reporting on water safety
Surf Life Saving leadership and volunteers
The report also demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to transparency, strategy, and continuous improvement — presented through a professional, consistent visual identity that I developed and maintained across editions.
My contribution
I was the lead designer on the inaugural Coast Safe Report and continued to deliver subsequent editions year-on-year. This project combined data-driven communication, stakeholder alignment, and high-stakes design delivery — requiring equal parts creative execution and strategic collaboration.
Key contributions included:
Project management across departments and timelines, ensuring the report aligned with data readiness, approvals, and public release schedules.
Stakeholder engagement with internal teams, government relations, and the Chief Operating Officer to align messaging, tone, and impact goals.
Design and layout of complex statistical content, infographics, and written reports into a digestible and highly visual document—balancing clarity with authority.
Print and digital delivery of the final publication, with variations prepared for stakeholder presentations, media kits, and public access.
Why it matters
This project sits at the intersection of public safety, advocacy, and communication design — a space I’m passionate about. It challenged me to think beyond aesthetics and focus on how design can support behaviour change, public awareness, and policy engagement.
Working on the Coast Safe Report was more than layout and delivery — it was about designing a document with meaning, urgency, and the power to inform real-world action.