Collaroy surfer: Council previously mooted moving stormwater pipe from spot where man drowned
Eights years ago there was a proposal to move the stormwater drain that juts into the surf at Collaroy Beach, near where a surfer drowned this week.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- New twist in plans for $70m seniors development
- Alleged ‘major drug syndicate’ smashed on northern beaches
Local authorities once considered relocating the large stormwater drain that juts into the centre of Collaroy Beach where a surfer drowned earlier this week.
Witnesses said the man, 44, may have become trapped against, or been swept into, the side of the concrete pipe by large seas early on Monday afternoon.
Northern Beaches Police are still investigating the incident and preparing a report about the Normanhurst man’s death for the NSW Coroner.
The drain, part of the Northern Beaches Council’s stormwater network, was built in the 1970s and extends from the seawall just north of the Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club.
In 2012 the then-Warringah council was considering relocating the drain to the southern end of the beach, near the ocean pool.
But the council decided in June 2012, to build a new, improved drain, in the same spot, instead.
Emergency services were called to Collaroy beach about 12.40pm on Monday after witnesses saw the man struggling to keep control of his board as he was pummelled by the large surf.
Minutes later the man, still attached to his board by a leg rope, was swept into the southern side of the stormwater drain.
About two minutes later the surfer resurfaced, facedown in the water, on the northern side of the pipe, still attached to his board.
Members of the public dragged the man to shore were CPR was started before emergency services arrived.
The man was later declared dead in Royal North Shore Hospital.
In March 2012 the Manly Daily reported that consultants for Warringah Council had identified two options for replacing the “ageing stormwater outlet at Collaroy Beach”.
The options were to either replace the existing pipe, which was beginning to fail, or build a new pipe at the southern end of the beach, adjacent to the rock pool.
The spokeswoman at the time said the final decision would be based on community input, cost, risks, environmental impacts, and potential effects on water quality, waves and the surf breaks.
In June 2012 the council announced that a new stormwater pipe would be constructed — at a cost of $1.43 million — in the same spot, partly because it will be cheaper than relocating it next to the rock pool.
There was also some community concern that stormwater would end up in the swimming pool and affect people’s health.
A council report at the time stated that residents had indicated a preference for the replacement option rather than moving the pipe.
The Council told the Manly Daily this week that it could not comment, due to the ongoing investigation into Monday’s incident, on questions about whether it would consider removing the stormwater pipe. .
“This is a devastating incident and our thoughts are with family and friends at this difficult time,” CEO Ray Brownlee said.
“We understand the circumstances of the incident will be the subject of further investigation and we will provide any assistance required as the investigation proceeds.”
.