Paradise Point Parklands swim site still closed as council considers life guards after drowning death

The public enclosed swimming area where a Gold Coast family man tragically drowned a week ago remains closed as council considers a major change.

The Gold Coast council is reviewing whether life guards should be posted at a popular swimming spot following a shocking drowning death.

Queensland Police probing the drowning of 29-year-old Jake Brown at the Paradise Point Parklands swimming enclosure have released the area but the site will remain closed as council works to replace nets damaged in the emergency response a week ago on Sunday.

Mayor Tom Tate expressed his condolences for the family of Mr Brown and said council were considering expanding lifesaving services to the swimming spot.

“At the moment that part of [the swimming enclosure] is closed and so if there’s no patrols, there are plenty of areas to go and swim so don’t take it upon yourself,” he said.

“Even Lotus Creek, nice and calm, we’ve got surf lifesaving and life guards there so think it through, swim where it’s safe.”

The Paradise Point Parklands swimming site where Jake Brown, 29, drowned. Picture: Kathleen Skene

But Mr Tate said the city CEO Tim Baker would be reviewing demographic studies to determine whether it was appropriate to post life guards at the Paradise Point Swimming enclosure

“I’ll get the CEO to review, we’ve expanded our life guards to the north at the Spit because people walk along there to get hot and go in [the water],” he said.

“We’ll do some demographic studies to see the usage and the suitability so the CEO will review that.”

A Queensland Police spokesperson said a report was still being prepared for the coroner after the drowning which left onlookers shocked last Sunday afternoon.

Police have previously said it appeared Mr Brown had been sitting on the boundary netting which rings the enclosure, had fallen into the water and not resurfaced.

It took four hours to recover his body.

Loved ones have described Mr Brown as a “very, very loved friend, partner, father, brother, son, grandson and uncle”.

QPS said: “Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the drowning of a 29-year-old man.

“Emergency services were called to The Esplanade at Paradise Point just before 4pm following reports the man had failed to resurface from the water.

“Following an extensive search by Water Police, PolAir and the Police Dive Squad, officers located the man’s body just before 8pm.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has requested the council officials look at life guards for the Paradise Point Parklands swimming site. Picture: Kathleen Skene