Randwick Council could introduce lifeguards to Little Bay beach after spate of drownings

Desperate calls for lifeguards at one of the state’s most dangerous beaches could finally be answered, after yet another life was claimed.

Rocks at Little Bay. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Lifeguards could be installed at one of the state's deadliest beaches following yet another fatality which has rocked Sydney’s southeast.

Randwick Council, as part of an internal review, could be set to install lifeguards at the deadly Little Bay cove, with Mayor Dylan Parker forecasting an upcoming decision at a recent council meeting.

As previously reported by NewsLocal last year, drowning death toll data revealed the Randwick LGA – where Little Bay is located – is the coastal drowning capital of NSW with 34 deaths in the 10 years to 2021.

Recent data suggests there has been five further deaths recorded in the local government area since, including a recent death on April 23, where a man in his 30s was walking along the rocks with his wife before being swept into the ocean by a surging wave, according to council representatives.

Little Bay beach. Picture: Damian Shaw

It sprung local golfers from the Coast Golf Club to scale down the cliff to the rocks and enter the water.

Council representatives said a distress signal was sent out and council lifeguards rushed from Maroubra Beach in approximately three minutes. The man and rescuers were taken via jetski to shore where lifeguards performed CPR.

A nearby wedding party, consisting of off duty nurses, were also in assistance.

Emergency services arrived and took over CPR efforts and “the heroics” of responders saw the man revived and taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition where he later died.

At the recent meeting, councillors acknowledged the rescue efforts of those who put themselves in danger, before Cr Parker said as part of the current 2022/23 Operational Plan, council officers were reviewing service levels and coastal public safety, particularly at Little Bay Beach.

He said lifeguards could be introduced to address the high volume of drownings.

Local resident Peter Fagan at Little Bay Beach. Picture: Craig Wilson

However, resident Peter Fagan said he has been “agitating” council for lifeguards since 2016.

“Local residents do find it upsetting when sirens of police and ambulance are heard travelling to Little Bay beach, because we know someone … is in trouble,” Mr Fagan said.

“At Little Bay, I have witnessed one drowning. I have been instrumental in two rescues of people who would otherwise have drowned. I am aware of eight incidents when people were taken out to sea by a strong rip and people on the beach were agonising over whether to call for the rescue helicopter.”
Mr Fagan said he is also aware of a number of deaths from people who have been washed off the rocks, explaining how lifeguards could deploy a “safety rope” across the entrance to the bay in rough weather.

Councillor Noel D’Souza also supported lifeguards at Little Bay, saying beaches in the eastern suburbs are popular among visitors and it was paramount to properly “regulate” them.