Everyone from parents through to strong, young swimmers expressed their support for improved safety measures at the popular Murrumbidgee River swimming spot, calling for first-aid equipment and the introduction of lifeguards and swimming zone flags.

For one Wagga father, the lack of safety measures meant he would not allow his daughter to take a dip.

"Even just in speaking with my wife and suggesting the kids go for a swim, we decided against it because it just isn't safe," Hossam El Sanabary said.

"We need more awareness of what is in the river. We have no idea what's below the surface, where the safe spots are, so something even as simple as flags to mark those safe spots would make a big difference."

The push for improved safety comes after Wagga City Council was found to have failed to complete an investigation into the provision of safety equipment, including a defibrillator, at Wagga Beach.

Councillors unanimously approved a water safety management plan with 13 recommendations 18 months ago, with the aim of "reducing the community risk of drowning or near drowning incidents".

Mr El Sanabary said he and his family have lived in Wagga for 14 years now, and despite frequenting the banks of Wagga Beach, have never stepped into the water.

But, he said, the introduction of a defibrillator could change his mind.

"Having lifeguards and such, as well as life saving equipment with better awareness, may encourage people to actually enjoy the water and give them better peace of mind for potential worst case scenarios," he said.

Fellow Wagga resident and father Michael Glazier said having a defibrillator on site was "very important".

"Especially if they want to develop this area and make it even more busy," he said.

"Just take a look around today, see how busy it is and how many kids are out their enjoying the water.

"It is a worry not having that equipment just in case."

Mr Glazier said while his children had been taught pool safety skills, the river was a "completely different" environment.

"My kids have pool water safety skills, but not necessarily river safety skills, and they're completely different but at a certain young age, they don't always know the difference," he said.

It wasn't just young children who were cause for concern around a lack of first aid measures at the beach, with Wagga resident Jane Arndt saying even as a strong swimmer, she held concerns.

"I am a strong swimmer because I am originally from the coast where swimming lessons were compulsory, but I have friends who aren't so it can vary so much," she said.

"You can see on a summer's day just how many people are down here at the beach, and of all different ages too, so getting into trouble in the water can happen to anyone, and if that defibrillator is there or other safety equipment, you don't have to rely on waiting for that ambulance to arrive.

"It's one of those things where it happens more often than you think, and waiting ten minutes for an ambulance can absolutely be the difference between someone losing their life and someone being saved."