Access to Glenelg breakwater banned following drowning of 15-year-old Nitisha Negi

BEACHGOERS could be fined up to $220 for breaching a ban on accessing the Glenelg breakwater rocks following the tragic drowning of a 15-year-old girl on Sunday.

• Push to ban people from using Glenelg breakwater
• Father of drowned Indian girl Nitisha Negi speaks out
• Divers recover body of Nitisha Negi
• Frantic effort to find missing teenage girl off Glenelg
• Katy Hall: We need to help tourists to help themselves

BEACHGOERS could be fined up to $220 for breaching a ban on accessing the Glenelg breakwater rocks following the tragic drowning of a 15-year-old girl on Sunday.

Serious concerns have been raised on who would police the ban and whether signage would be enough to deter people from accessing the rocks.

The move, sparked by the death of Indian student Nitisha Negi, came at a council meeting last night.

Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said extra signage would be installed and the ban would come into effect “in coming days” prohibiting walking or fishing on the rocks and swimming in the vicinity of the breakwater.

“We will be marking out an area of 40m in all directions around the breakwater where swimming is precluded,” he said.

The Glenelg marina breakwater. Picture: AAP/ Mike Burton

However, an actual fence or physical structure would be a last resort, Mr Mullighan said.

“Some sort of a physical barrier or a fence would be an absolute last resort,” he said.

“It would be very visually impactful and sends the wrong message about the sort of beach Glenelg is — it’s a very safe beach.”

Permanent multilingual signs would be placed near the breakwater in “the next few weeks”.

Eventually, fines of up to $220 would apply for breaching the ban.

Warning signs for strong currents and large waves are already in place at the breakwater after 11-year-olds Frank Ndikuriyo and Thierry Niyomwungere drowned on New Year’s Day 2016.

Mr Mullighan could not confirm who would be responsible for policing the ban.

“(We’re) making sure what we’re doing gets the balance right between protecting the public without stripping away resources from other important community safety activities,” he said.

“And that’s why I think Surf Life Saving clubs and Surf Life Saving SA are a bit reticent about having to commit to particular daylight hours or longer having to focus on resources just on monitoring the breakwater.

“If we get the signage right, the public messaging right to steer clear of this breakwater ... they won’t get down near the area and the level of policing we’re considering won’t be required.”

These interim measures are set to be in place while the State Government changes regulations to make the 40m perimeter around the breakwater permanent.

Mayor Stephen Patterson said public access to the rocks would be restricted but was an interim measure while the council, government and Surf Life Saving SA find a long-term solution.

“While the lead agencies wait on the outcomes of investigations and reviews that will inform the future course of action, the council and State Government have agreed that council is best placed at this time to implement this interim measure to improve safety on Glenelg beach,” he said.

“Clearly more needs to be done, and we are all serious about working together to find and implement practical measures.”

The CoastCity Weekly understands the council, various government departments, SLSA and the Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club met yesterday to discuss how the area would be restricted.

It is still unknown when the ban will come into effect but the council urged people to stay away from the breakwater rocks.

Holdfast Bay will be able to introduce the ban by enacting a council by-law.

Nitisha, who was in Adelaide for the Pacific School Games, is believed to have been on the rocks, and had not intended to go swimming, when either a wave pushed her or she slipped into the water.

Police divers recover the body of the missing Nitisha Negi, 15, from the south side of the Glenelg marina breakwater. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

Three other teenagers and a 12-year-old — also from the Indian Pacific School Games football team — were also left in trouble near the rocks before they were rescued by surf lifesavers.

Two 11-year-old boys drowned near the rocks on New Year’s Day 2016. Another boy died while swimming at the same spot in November 2007.

Warning signs near where police divers recovered the body of the missing girl. Picture: Mike Burton

Mr Patterson, an active patrolling member of the Glenelg SLSC, said in his experience the drift that washes the current from south to north creates the danger.

“As it hits that rock it creates a slight rip and also suction down towards the sea floor,” he said.

“Also, because the prevailing winds in Glenelg are south-westers, that creates wave action which hits the western face of this groyne.

“That makes it slippery and makes it easier for anyone to be washed off by a bigger wave than normal.”

Mr Patterson said the council wants to protect tourists as well as locals so signage, particularly in other languages, was important with tourist numbers increasing.

Glenelg SLSC president Georgina Cole said the club supported the move to restrict the breakwater but was wary of how it could be done.

“When you look at the structure, it’s extremely difficult to cordon off or manage that area,” she said.

“We totally support the council’s decision but practically how it’s applied has problems and we will work through that with them.”

Some elected members at the council meeting also raised concerns about how the ban would be policed.

Cr Karen Donaldson said she had “great concerns” about how it would work.

Chief executive Justin Lynch said Mr Mullighan had assured him the government would give the council support to boost safety.

“It won’t be possible to have someone there patrolling 24/7 but signage, education and working with the surf club will be a part of it,” he said.

“We don’t have the answers right now but will do something that is reasonable in the circumstances so that we are managing the area to a reasonable degree.”

The issue was brought up as a matter of urgent business at the meeting and elected members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.