NSW water safety: Randwick council to boost school program following drowning deaths

A Sydney council which has been rocked by a number of recent coastal deaths – with data revealing it is the NSW’s most dangerous area for drownings – is vowing to do more in schools.

In the wake of new data revealing Randwick as the deadliest local government area for beach drownings in NSW, plans are in underway to boost water safety education in schools.

At a recent council meeting, councillors endorsed a motion to work with surf clubs and schools to fund education on water safety so locals could safely enjoy a coastal lifestyle.

Surf Life Saving Australia lifeguards will soon have a higher presence in Randwick schools. Picture: Gaye Gerard

A council spokesman said it was too early to confirm a budget for the program but said the initiative would complement the work of Surf Life Saving Australia lifeguards who visited schools before the Covid pandemic.

“The motion is in its very early stages so we have to look at what it will look like, what form it would be, how much it will cost,” he said.

“It’s a case of looking at how we could expand what we’re already doing in schools to make our coast it as safe as can be.”

Rock-fishing deaths are highest near Little Bay than most other NSW rock ledges. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

Drowning death toll data, released exclusively to NewsLocal, revealed the Randwick LGA was the coastal drowning capital of NSW in the ten years to 2021, with 34 deaths.

The Northern Beaches LGA followed with 33 deaths, followed by the Central Coast (32), Coffs Harbour (32) and Sutherland Shire (29).

Randwick’s community, and specifically Little Bay, was recently rocked by the fatal shark attack of Simon Nellist and the rock-fishing deaths of Peter and his young son Mahan in the same month.

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

The council spokesman said there were clear differences between general water safety programs targeting children and rock-fishing specific education, which was part of a separate, wider strategy being rolled out across three years.

“A general water safety program would be a very different program, because rock fishers are often visitors and aren’t aware of the need to wear life jackets,” he said.

“Research shows it’s men at risk, people who are coming from all different areas as opposed to locals.”

“Water safety in general, in regards to swimming at beaches, we take a different approach again.”

Flowers laid following the death of Simon Nellist. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

In the past, Randwick council has run rock-fishing workshops which combine fishing tips with safety education and free life jackets – an initiative it plans to continue.

The spokesman said council was working with life guards and other stakeholders to investigate what more it could do around signage and safety devices it the most at-risk areas.

A Surf Life Saving Australia spokeswoman said its community safety team offer incursions, excursions and self-run programs and lessons to all NSW schools.

“We have had some Randwick area schools participate in our programs such as last year’s National Water Safety Day,” she said.

“Covid has significantly impacted this space over the last few years. This year we are relaunching and launching a large cohort of programs that can be engaged with from primary schools – we hope to see this engagement resuming back to normal pre this coming summer season.”