Pictures show extent of danger at Babinda Boulders in Cairns Regional Council report
A startling report commissioned in the wake of the tragic drowning of a teenager at Babinda Boulders a year ago has revealed the full extent of the creek’s hidden dangers.
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A startling report commissioned in the wake of the tragic drowning of a teenager at Babinda Boulders a year ago has revealed the full extent of the creek’s hidden dangers.
The report, presented to Cairns Regional Council this week shows the “risk of death” is always present in sections of the popular swimming spot, where 21 people have died since 1916, including three in one recent summer.
Illustrations in the report show the strong current is in some cases sending people to the bottom of the waterhole and trapping them there.
In moving the recommendation to improve signage, education campaigns and enforcement, Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said the report made “the hair on the back of my neck stand”.
“The report shows we have done a lot down there … but still, tragedies occur, signs are not heeded and lives are lost,” Cr Moller said.
The report — commissioned in the wake of the drowning death of Edmonton teenager Chloe Bailey in December 2021 — highlighted the three areas of concern.
They included sections of the Babinda Creek classified as “no go zones” (NGZ) – the Chute, the Devil’s Pool and the Washing Machine.
According to the report, the area of most concern is the Chute. It has accounted for more than half the deaths with the combination of strong currents, submerged debris and accessible crevices meaning “the potential for death once in the Chute is extremely high”.
The report concluded a significant problem with intentional entry into the NGZ exists.
“These hazards prevent rescue efforts for persons caught … if you fall in, you will be a recovery, you won’t be a rescue. The seriousness of this message must get out,” Cr Moller said.
“As the local councillor … I can tell you it’s the Babinda community that also feels the sadness. When they hear those sirens heading towards the boulders they say ‘Oh no, not again’.”
Presenting images from the report to the council meeting, Cr Moller said the happy people in the photo were “two metres away from certain death”.
“Here’s a photo of four young people on a rock at the beginning of the Chute … if they slipped and fell, there’s no coming back,” he said.
“These shots … are all over social media, encouraging bravado. This is what we’re up against.
“The biggest risk to lives … is people intentionally disregarding danger signage.
“Education and engagement campaigns are so important, particularly when we’re up against social media.
“Importantly, we really do need to look at an enforcement improvement plan. We really need to take action down there. It’s the carrot and the stick – we do need the stick.”
The report identified males between the ages of 18 and 34 years old were most at risk of drowning, and that peer group dynamics was a contributing factor.
The report also found current controls – fencing, signage and provision of safer alternatives – had low reliability to prevent risk.
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Originally published as Pictures show extent of danger at Babinda Boulders in Cairns Regional Council report
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