Media Release - 12 November 2025
Greens Councillor Jess Whittaker has uncovered Wollongong Council was forced to cough up more than $44,000 to recover a nearly 5-tonne whale killed by a NSW Government-managed shark net off the city’s coast last month.
An answer to the Greens’ question on notice indicated that after the NSW Department of Primary Industries failed to secure and recover the deceased animal at sea, it drifted onto rocks at Scarborough, where it became the responsibility of the land manager.
“The responsibility for this horrific incident rests squarely with the NSW Government and the Agriculture Minister’s ineffective shark netting program,” said Whittaker, who is a long-time advocate against shark nets.
“The recovery of the deceased whale placed an immense toll on council staff and caused a work health and safety issue. In addition to this, Wollongong ratepayers are now expected to pick up the $44,043 bill for something the NSW Government mismanaged. It is pretty unreasonable.”
The Ward 1 councillor lauded the Wollongong Council staff who cleaned up the NSW Government’s mess despite being confronted by a dangerous operation.
“The whale could have been handled much more safely at sea when it was first discovered floating in the net,” Cr Whittaker said.
“Removing the animal from slippery rocks amongst the waves and other marine life, including Great White sharks, that had been attracted to the area made it a very challenging and dangerous operation.
“There is a touch of irony that in the end, shark nets, which are supposed to keep swimmers safe, in fact made the areas less safe with the closure of beaches up and down the coast for the week.
“There is strong evidence to suggest this happens on a smaller scale with bi-catch removed by contractors from shark nets, documented to have large bite marks in it when recovered from the nets.”
On Tuesday in NSW Parliament, Greens MLC Cate Faerhmann asked the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty about a request from Wollongong Council to cover the bill, to which she indicated there was no offer to cover these costs.
