{"id":86235,"date":"2026-09-02T16:22:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T16:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/86235\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T16:22:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T16:22:40","slug":"fresh-debate-erupts-over-major-change-at-aussie-beaches-starting-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/86235\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresh debate erupts over major change at Aussie beaches starting today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outrage<\/a> has erupted as shark nets began returning to NSW beaches<\/a> today, with a local councillor questioning why the controversial barriers<\/a> are being reinstalled despite mounting opposition to the program.<\/p>\n

In an 11th-hour plea, Central Coast councillor Jared Wright is urging the NSW government to consider “more modern and innovative solutions<\/a> to help keep people safe” \u2013 a push he’s advocated<\/a> for years.<\/p>\n

“When people actually understand how the nets work, they then realise that they’re fundamentally flawed,” he told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

Why does the council member believe the nets are flawed?\"Turtle<\/p>\n

Council member Jared Wright is expressing concerns other animals apart from sharks can get caught in nets. Photo: Instagram\/TheSharkNetFilm<\/p>\n

According to Jared, swimmers have a “false sense of security” when a beach is protected only by shark nets that are 150 metres long, he said, pointing out that many Central Coast beaches stretch for more than a kilometre.<\/p>\n

The nets also don’t stretch from the ocean floor to the surface, meaning sharks can swim “over it, under it, or around it”.<\/p>\n

There is also concern about marine life getting tangled in the net, especially as a sea lion affectionately nicknamed “Terry the seal” has been visiting Terrigal Beach.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development explained to Yahoo shark nets part of a 2026\/27 Shark Management Program that “aim to reduce the risk of interactions between target sharks and beachgoers.”<\/p>\n

There are also ways DPIRD ensures “non-target species” don’t get wrapped up in the nets it said. For example dolphin pingers, whale alarms and LED lights are fitted into nets and contractors physically inspect nets every 72 hours from September to January and every 48 hours from February to March.<\/p>\n

What should replace shark nets?<\/p>\n

Jared points to Avoca Beach as the region’s “gold standard,” arguing the shark mitigation measures used there should be rolled out at other beaches across the Central Coast.<\/p>\n

All year long at Avoca Beach, there is a drone program, a shark listening station, and a smart drumline, which Jared describes as a “prime example” of how different technologies could work together.<\/p>\n

With SMART drumlines, Jared explained, sharks can be tagged and released away from shore, and if a tagged shark later swims within range of a listening station, people can receive an alert on their phone.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, drones provide aerial surveillance to help spot sharks close to swimmers.<\/p>\n

“When people understand how the drone program works … I think people then start to realise that it is actually a far more effective way to protect people in the water.”<\/p>\n

DPIRD argues its Shark Management Program operates alongside a “range of modern technologies and research initiatives” to support public safety and understanding of shark behaviour \u2014including the ideas Jared has proposed.<\/p>\n

The Central Coast has 15 patrolled beaches, Jared added, and more than 40 beaches overall. Yet, only four drone programs exist.<\/p>\n

“Thirty-two SMART drumlines are set daily, weather dependent, between Pebbly Beach and Macmasters Beach, with Tagged Shark Listening Stations at Soldiers, Avoca and Killcare Beaches,” DPIRD confirmed.<\/p>\n

\"Drone<\/p>\n

Drones were in force at Avoca Beach recently (right), with signs being displayed at other beaches closer to Sydney. Source: Yahoo News Australia<\/p>\n

(Yahoo News Australia)Tourist hub in need of changes most<\/p>\n

The beach at the top of his list is Terrigal, a tourist hub in the summer that also attracts swimmers no matter the season, making a year-round drone program similar to Avoca Beach’s “ideal”, he said.<\/p>\n

While he is calling for more NSW Government investment, he said responsibility shouldn’t necessarily fall entirely on the state.<\/p>\n

“It’s not a matter of just putting it back on the New South Wales government,” he said.<\/p>\n

Lifeguards are hired by councils to work at beaches on weekdays, and surf lifesaving clubs patrol on weekends.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

Jared suggested council can train lifeguards to operate drones as a potentially more affordable surveillance solution.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, though, Jared said he wants the NSW government to work with council to replace traditional nets with alternative technology before tragedy strikes.<\/p>\n

In late June, the NSW government rolled out the world’s biggest shark-spotting drone network<\/a> as extra surveillance after new mum Leah Stewart was attacked by a great white at popular Coogee Beach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It follows the fatal shark attack on surfer Mercury Psillakis a year ago, while surfer Andre de Ruyter lost his leg after being attacked by a shark at a Manly beach in January.<\/p>\n

An $87m shark surveillance program was announced<\/a> following the Coogee attack, with an additional $34m added to the program on Sunday, bringing the total investment to more than $120m over the next two years.<\/p>\n

However, Jared said “no new beaches on the Central Coast received funding for the upcoming beach season”.<\/p>\n

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