20 December 2024

Support for removing shark nets along the NSW coastline is growing with Sutherland Shire Council voting to oppose nets in an annual State government survey.

Sutherland Council has changed its position and now, in the annual NSW DPIE Community Sentiment Survey, opposes shark nets off NSW beaches.

Wollongong City Council has continued to oppose shark nets off NSW beaches. 

Wollongong Councillor Jess Whittaker said: “This is a big win for all those people who care about our oceans and marine animals.

“Shark nets are an inhumane and outdated method operating as a ‘safety campaign’. This campaign shows that with sound information and community pressure, people who previously supported shark nets can change their opinions.

“We now have the majority of NSW coastal councils opposing shark nets in this 2024 survey. Randwick, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle councils are still to make a response.”

At Sutherland Council’s meeting Mayor Jack Boyd indicated he would like NSW National Parks to take responsibility for the survey response for nets in the Royal National Park at Garie and Wattamolla.

Cr Whittaker said: “Shark nets are known to kill threatened species, including Loggerhead Turtles, Leatherback Turtles, and critically endangered Grey Nurse Sharks. The Department of Primary Industry  has a legal exemption under the Biodiversity Act to deploy shark nets that knowingly kill threatened species. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe MLC should cancel that exemption. Ms Sharpe has the remit and responsibility to protect biodiversity in NSW, and as long as shark nets continue to be deployed she continues to fail our Australian native wildlife.

“Now that both coastal councils in the Heathcote electorate formally oppose shark netting, I am requesting a meeting with the local member Maryanne Stuart to seek her support to have the nets removed. We don’t want any more needless deaths like we saw last year when a dead dolphin was caught in the shark net off Thirroul beach.

“I am extremely hopeful this will be the final season of shark netting in NSW. Our relationship with the ocean needs to change from a fear-based response of killing marine animals, to one where we protect and respect the whole ecosystem. You can’t just remove these ancient creatures from the top of the food chain and expect there to be no consequences.

“The best way to save lives at the beach is to fund lifeguards. The next best thing we can do is educate the community and provide fast responses if there is an emergency. We are currently wasting a large portion of the $85 million shark smart program on nets. I’ll be raising this with the local member if she agrees to meet with me,” Cr Whittaker said.

For further comment please contact Cr Jess Whittaker