NEARLY a year after the drowning of Ayman Ksebe, 5, in dangerous waters at Dolls Point, the adjoining baths remain unusable most of the time.
Rockdale Council enlarged the enclosure two months ago, installing new pylons and netting.
However, the council is still waiting for the state government to carry out dredging.
In the meantime, many people who visit the beach are still swimming in open waters.
Ayman was at Dolls Point with his family three days before Christmas last year when he disappeared beneath the surface while swimming with his older brother.
The shallows in which they were playing lead abruptly into a deep channel with a strong current at the mouth of the Georges River.
After initially planning to delay action until after an inquest, the council decided to restore or relocate the baths and erect warning signs at dangerous points along the beachfront between Sans Souci and Kyeemagh.
A council spokesman said this week it was awaiting a response from Roads and Maritime Services to a request for dredging works to begin.
"A report commissioned by council identified that major works undertaken in and around Botany Bay — that include projects for the airport and the newly expanded Port Botany — have changed the bay's wave pattern," he said.
"This has resulted in increased foreshore erosion and sand accumulation.
‘‘To date, the NSW government has not advised council of any affirmative action to undertake much needed re-nourishment and dredging works around this highly popular regional recreation area.’’
The spokesman said ‘‘numerous requests’’ had been made to RMS by mayor Shane O’Brien.
He said 19 new coastal hazard signs had been installed at pedestrian access points to the beach.
‘‘The signs include important information such as entry point numbering and nearest cross street information, to assist with meeting places and emergency location,’’ he said.
‘‘Based on the report by CoastSafe, there is additional coastal hazard information for each particular location.
‘‘The signs also include regulatory information that prohibit certain activities on the beach, and other relevant general information.
‘‘In addition to the signage, a number of potentially hazardous access points have been closed, repairs to railings completed and beach access points restored.’’
An RMS spokesman said RMS was considering a funding request from Rockdale Council for work to dredge the Dolls Point baths at Botany Bay, expected to be resolved early next year.
‘‘Roads and Maritime will work with council and whole of government to develop a proposal for further remediation work for the broader area,’’ he said. ‘‘Significant consultation would be carried out as part of planning.’’
Has the state government acted quickly enough on the Dolls Point baths issue?
