Randwick City beaches including Little Bay, Malabar, Maroubra, Coogee, Clovelly and La Perouse will be closed for 24 hours following a fatal shark attack near Little Bay on Wednesday 16 February.

Police received reports a swimmer was attacked by a shark around 4.30pm today, 16 February 2022, at Buchan Point which is located between Little Bay Beach and Malabar Beach.

Signage and barricades are being installed by Council staff to warn people off swimming at all Randwick City beaches as part of standard operating procedures following a fatal attack.

Council Lifeguards will patrol beaches over the next 24 hours looking for any further sightings of sharks.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the Randwick City community is in shock.

“The coast is our community’s backyard. Little Bay is normally such a calm, beautiful place enjoyed by families.

“To lose someone to a shark attack like this is chilling.  We are all in shock.

“Our entire community’s hearts go out to the family of the victim.”

This is the first fatal shark attack in Randwick City in recent memory.

A non-fatal shark attack occurred at Congwong Beach, located further south in Botany Bay in February 2018.