A recommendation to close The Rocks area of the Murrumbidgee River looks set to be overridden by Wagga City Council.
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Councillors will be asked on Monday to consider recommendations contained in a report prepared by Royal Lifesaving Australia after a drowning near Wagga Beach just days after Christmas in 2016.
Melbourne man Peter Abd-El-Kaddous drowned while swimming from The Rocks to Wagga Beach.
After this tragedy councillors, at the instigation of Cr Vanessa Keenan, voted to have Royal Lifesaving Australia conduct a review.
The review has recommended closing The Rocks to swimmers and considering the use of lifeguards, as well as improving signs and undertaking an education campaign.
However, council staff have recommended The Rocks remains open to the public due to the “high level of utilisation and historical significance”.
Council staff have also recommended against lifeguards.
“The Murrumbidgee River is one of Wagga’s greatest assets, but it does have inherent risks,” Cr Keenan said.
"The recommendations to council are designed to ensure the community is aware of those risks and can enjoy the river safely and responsibly.
“It’s important to find a balance between community safety and the amenity of the area, which is why it has been recommended access to The Rocks is maintained but with the installation of prominent signage and community education.
“I don’t think closing The Rocks is something the community wants.”
Cr Keenan said so-called Bush Nippers programs ran successfully in riverside communities and could be appropriate for Wagga.
Cr Paul Funnell said closing The Rocks was ‘ludicrous’.
“You can’t protect everyone all the time,” he said.
“Common sense has to start to prevail.”
Like Cr Keenan, Cr Funnell thought there could be some merit in introducing a Bush Nippers program in Wagga.