Little Bay deaths: Mayor to commemorate Simon Nellist, rock-fishing victims

In the wake of Sydney’s fatal shark attack and the tragic drownings of a 10-year-old boy and his father, Randwick council will urgently review water safety and commemorate the victims.

In the wake of a fatal shark attack and the drowning of a 10-year-old son and his rock fishing father that shook Sydney, Randwick City Council has passed a motion to urgently review water safety.

Passed in a mammoth council meeting shortly after 11pm on Tuesday night, the motion also includes a commemoration for the shark victim, 35-year-old Simon Nellist, alongside the father and son who drowned after being swept off a rock ledge a fortnight earlier.

It follows a NewsLocal campaign for improved safety measures in Little Bay, with the wife and mother of the rock fishing victims calling for extra safety signage and more lifeguards patrolling the area during the week.

Shark attack victim Simon Nellist with fiance Jessie Ho.

Council will work with the Department of Primary Industries, Surfing NSW and the Rural Adversity to hold mental health support and counselling services for affected residents at several beaches, starting Saturday. Shark education and beach safety information will also be offered. With statistics showing Randwick council’s coastline to be one of Australia’s most dangerous for rock fishing, there will be an urgent expansion of rock fishing related-signage and rescue devices including angel rings and TUI rescue tubes, as well as more rock fishing education and a communication campaign.

Peter and son Mahan were killed after being swept of the rocks while fishing at Little Bay

Floral tributes have been placed on a pathway leading to Little Bay. Picture: Richard Dobson

There will also be some form of tribute to remember shark attack victim Mr Nellist, mauled by what was believed to be a great white shark last Wednesday, and 10-year-old Mahan and his father Peter.

Council figures showed 21 rock fishers have died in the Randwick local government area since 2001, including Mahan and his father. There were six rock-fishing deaths in Little Bay alone.

Randwick City Council was the first in Australia to make life jackets compulsory for rock-fishing in 2018, but many of those killed – including Mahan and Peter – were not wearing life jackets.

Randwick’s mayor wants a safety overhaul of Little Bay’s rocks. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mayor Dylan Parker praised the work of lifeguards during both recent tragedies.

This was echoed by former mayor, Councillor Danny Said, who told council that lifeguards were the first to respond in both cases.

“When they got to the father and son drowning, they tried to do CPR on the back of a jet ski,” he said.

“Two life guards were doing that while another lifeguard was pulling people out of a rip.”

A minute’s silence was held for Mr Nellist, Peter and Mahan at the start of the council meeting.