A Sydney family has received an outpouring of public support following a distressing Australia Day incident at a beach park in southern Sydney, where council rangers ordered them to deflate an inflatable pool set up for their eight-year-old son with cerebral palsy.
Walter Siola’a, who is a quadriplegic, loves the beach but finds the crashing waves overwhelming. His parents brought the inflatable pool to their family picnic at Kurnell so he could safely enjoy time near the water.
“We just wanted him to be safe and feel comfortable at water level that was comfortable for him,” his mother Siu Siola’a told 7NEWS.
About half an hour after arriving, two Sutherland Shire Council rangers told the family the pool had to be deflated, saying inflatable pools capable of holding more than 30 centimetres of water were subject to the same fencing laws as in-ground pools.
“At first, we just wanted to comply. We didn’t want to cause a whole kerfuffle there,” Walter’s father Richard Siola’a said.
As the family began emptying the pool, they were warned it was illegal to dispose of the fresh water into nearby bushland.
“And that’s when he stopped us and said, what we’re doing is illegal, is we’re going to get in trouble from council because we’re dumping water,” Richard said.
Disability support worker Sophie Wellard, who witnessed the interaction, said Walter became visibly distressed.
“The councilman picked the pool up and flipped it. Walter at that time was very upset,” she said.
Speaking on Sunrise, Siu said the incident left her feeling “sad”, particularly as the water only covered Walter’s knees while he was seated in his wheelchair.
“We were just targeted that day, and unfortunately, Walter had to miss out on a bit more water time,” she said.
She said she was disheartened to learn the complaint came from another local.
“I was really heartbroken that they couldn’t see past the rule that we had broken. Walter’s wheelchair was next to the pool. If that wasn’t enough to tell them that there was a child in there with a disability, I don’t know what else we could have done,” she said.
Richard said the rangers were enforcing the rules but believed it should have been handled in a “more human manner”.
“We may have been breaking the rules, but look at the situation,” he said.
Following national coverage of the incident, the family says they have been contacted by people across Australia offering messages of support and practical help.
“Since our story has been told, the outpouring of support has been amazing,” Siu told Sunrise.
Bondi lifeguards have since invited Walter and his family for a supported beach visit using a specialised beach wheelchair.
“For Hoppo and his team to do that for us, I don’t know who’s more excited – Walter or us,” Siu said.
“We can’t wait to join the Bondi team and to take him out closer to the sand and enjoy the day at the beach.”
Sutherland Shire Council has since apologised, acknowledging the family’s distress and admitted that greater compassion should have been applied.
“Council acknowledges the distress experienced by a family visiting Bonna Point yesterday, following a complaint made by a member of the public about safety issues concerning the use of an inflatable pool,” the council said.
“Sutherland Shire Council regrets that for the family involved, their Australia Day experience was not a positive one. Australia Day should be a day that everyone can enjoy, regardless of ability.”
The council said it would work with the family to provide accessible swimming options, including Mobi-mat access at Gunnamatta Bay Baths or visits to council leisure centres, and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
Mayor Jack Boyd also apologised, saying rangers were bound to enforce existing regulations.
“Our rangers enforce the rules as they exist, not as what they would want them to be,” he said.
Image: 7News
