Workshop: Risky Business: Enabling Safer Outdoor Adventures on Our Trails
Visitor risk management (VRM) is the backbone of safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation. It’s not about eliminating adventure—it’s about managing hazards so visitors can explore with confidence. This practical workshop will give you a behind the scenes look at Parks and Wildlife’s four step process for identifying hazards, assessing & managing risks and reviewing and monitoring controls.
Included will be an overview of the legal precedents and supporting measures including structured training, documentation, and corrective action reporting. By embedding these practices, agencies, land managers and event organisers can protect visitors, reduce liability, and maintain the integrity of natural experiences. Risk management isn’t a barrier—it’s a tool for creating safer adventures and sustaining public trust in our trails and outdoor spaces.
The workshop is designed to be interactive and draw from actual experiences of the presenters and participants. Facilitated by the department’s Visitor Risk Management Team, Regional and Fire Management Services Division, with course presenters having extensive practical experience in land and visitor risk management.
Jamie Bennett, Visitor Risk Management Project Officer, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)
Michael Phillips, Visitor Risk Management Coordinator, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)
