Shark nets trial at northern NSW beaches after another attack at Ballina
NSW Premier Mike Baird says public sentiment has shifted after a series of shark attacks, forcing shark nets to be installed for the first time on northern NSW beaches.
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SHARK nets will finally be installed for the first time on northern NSW beaches after yet another attack at Ballina yesterday.
The backflip comes after more than 18 months of terrifying attacks along the popular coastline.
As well, by December an extra 85 smart drumlins will be rolling out along the NSW coast.
NSW Premier Mike Baird yesterday caved in to more than a year of public pressure, agreeing to install nets in the region, just south of the Gold Coast, which has seen three deaths and at least eight major maulings by sharks since 2008.
Mr Baird announced a six-month trial of the barriers as part of the NSW Government’s five-year, $16 million shark strategy because of “extraordinary circumstances”.
“Ultimately, we get to the point where we have to prioritise human life over everything,” he said.
“The sentiment in that North Coast community has shifted.
“It was against nets. The recent attacks have started to shift that.
“But there are extraordinary circumstances.
“We have to respond — we will be responding.”
Mr Baird said he would write to the Federal Government requesting a six-month trial after his Minister of Primary Industries, Niall Blair, had repeatedly advocated for “new and emerging technologies and shark deterrents”.
Yesterday Mr Blair said human life was the priority and he would again meet with the North Coast community to discuss installation of the nets as soon as possible.
“We have said all along that all options are on the table which is why we are seeking Commonwealth Government approval for a trial of traditional mesh nets on the North Coast,” he said.
“Marine life is important and at every stage we have sought to balance our approach but human life must be our first priority.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Blair said following the announcement of shark nets the additional 85 nonlethal smart drum lines planned for the area would not be abandoned.
“The NSW DPI will progressively roll out the new smart drumlins from the beginning of December,” she said.
Following the announcement, Le-Ba Boardriders president Don Munro said for the first time in 20 months he could now sleep easy at night knowing proven shark nets were coming.
Mr Munro has been the spokesman for surfers in the region and a thorn in the side of the NSW Government by publicly calling for shark barriers for more than a year and repeatedly stating the government was “playing Russian roulette with people’s lives”.
He said he had received a private text message from Mr Baird letting him know the shark nets would soon protect surfers.
“I’m absolutely elated,” Mr Munro said.
“Mike Baird texted me himself after the announcement.”
Mr Munro said he wanted the nets in as soon as possible.
“I don’t think the Federal Government is going to muck about with signing (the shark nets) off,” he said.
“The State Government burned rubber for two years.
“I think it was (the attack on) Cooper Allen that did it.
“There was a hell of a lot of support from within the community — the whole of the Evans Head surfing community and the chamber of commerce, shortboard clubs and longboard clubs.”
He said he wanted to see nets installed from Evans Head, north to Seven Mile Beach.
“The only bad thing is we’re going to see all those Queenslanders surfing down here again,” he said.
Ballina mayor David Wright has been vocal against the nets throughout the spate of attacks on people.
Yesterday he again voiced his concerns about the potential for a bycatch of turtles, whales and dolphins.
“I was surprised when I heard the decision,” Cr Wright said.
“If the nets are going in, we definitely need to have a vessel on standby.
“This is the first time there has been an attack at Sharpe’s Beach.”
Cr Wright said he was still adamant the community did not want traditional shark nets.
“We have a pod of 50 dolphins in the area and whales coming so close and people want the opportunity to see them,” he said.
“I will do what the community overall want to do but I think most people are against the nets.”