The stepfather of a man who drowned in Darling Harbour has lobbied the government several times to erect a permanent barrier along the water's edge but has been rebuffed each time.
However, Gregory Magro's demands may be coming to fruition with the government considering a safety risks review that could change the face of Darling Harbour drastically.
![Temporary fencing and signs at Darling Harbour and King Street Wharf before New Year's Eve.](/web/20161231091714im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/j/3/p/9/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gti7si.png/1483086302951.jpg)
Mr Magro's son, Jason Daep, 19, drowned after being pushed into the water during a fight outside Pontoon Bar in 2012.
As thousands of people flock to Darling Harbour for New Year's Eve, his stepfather said: "I fear more people will drown if no barrier is installed".
![Jason Daep's stepfather Gregory Magro, pictured at Jason's funeral, has lobbied for a permanent barrier along the water ...](/web/20161231091714im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/i/f/1/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gti7si.png/1483086302951.jpg)
"It would have saved Jason's life," he told Fairfax Media.
His comments come as Property NSW, which includes the former Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), considers a commissioned review weighing up permanent fencing around Darling Harbour. It will consider the impact of fencing on the original design objectives of the area and whether it would affect public enjoyment of the iconic tourist spot.
The Strategic Risk and Security Operational Readiness Review was sparked by a public inquest into the death of Irish tourist Brendan Hickey, who toppled into the water during the Vivid Festival 2014.
Mr Hickey, who was drunk and couldn't swim, lost his balance when he stood up on wooden boardwalk steps near Home Nightclub.
![Jason Daep.](/web/20161231091714im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/i/f/1/a/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gti7si.png/1483086302951.jpg)
"I really feel for his family because surely his parents are thinking 'How on earth did he manage to just fall in?'," Mr Magro said.
Mr Magro wrote to the SHFA twice to ask for a barrier, such as a fence or netting beneath the boardwalk, to be erected.
![Irish tourist Brendan Hickey, pictured with girlfriend Julia Szymanska.](/web/20161231091714im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/3/6/x/k/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gti7si.png/1483086302951.jpg)
In reply, the SHFA said it didn't consider it necessary given millions of people visited the precinct with few incidents.
After the inquest into Mr Hickey's death, changes were made such as changing the colour of lifebuoys from white to orange and installing timber bollards near the water's edge.
Temporary fencing is now installed for large events such as New Year's Eve and Australia Day.
However, Deputy State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said it might not be enough and recommended a review of permanent barriers.
"In line with the coroner's recommendation to assess the risks to public safety along the open waters edge at Cockle Bay, the government continues to consider permanent barriers as part of that assessment," a Property NSW spokeswoman said on Friday.
Architect Paul Berkemeier, who was part of the team that designed the East Darling Harbour precinct now known as Barangaroo, said authorities should proceed with "extreme caution".
"We need to look at the probability of incidents versus the loss we'd suffer if we did construct fences in all sorts of positions," he said. "You've got to think then, 'Where do we stop?' There's always a risk in a public place."
He said Darling Harbour was renowned for its "immediate visual and spatial connection from the land to the water" and its references to the wharves and maritime history of the area.
Wayne Middleton, founding director of Reliance Risk, conducted a shoreline risk assessment for the inquest and said existing safety measures were only partially effective.
As visitors increased, deaths would inevitably occur and a permanent barrier might be the best solution, he said.
Dozens of people have fallen in the water at Darling Harbour yet Mr Daep and Mr Hickey have been the only deaths.
Mr Daep couldn't swim when he was pushed during the late-night melee. Off-duty bouncer Ehab Taleb was found not guilty of manslaughter in 2014.
"It's been a very long road," Mr Magro said. "I heard somebody say recently, 'I'm trying to find my new normal'. Before we had four kids, and that was normal. It's still very hard to settle on the new normal."