Shark nets on the Gold Coast to stay after multiple maulings across Queensland and NSW

THE Queensland Government has ruled out any changes to shark control measures on the Gold Coast after a number of attacks on the east coast.

THE Queensland Government says it will not tinker with the shark control program on the Gold Coast as it deals with the fallout of another attack in the state’s north.

The Minister for Agriculture and Primary Industries, Mark Furner yesterday rejected suggestions the Government’s reluctance to put in drumlines at Cid Harbour in the Whitsundays would stretch to the Gold Coast.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner hold a press conference on the Speakers green about the most recent shark attack. AAP/David Clark

Victorian doctor Daniel Christidis was killed on Monday while swimming. It was the third attack in seven weeks at the idyllic hot spot.

A northern NSW school teacher was also bitten by a shark early yesterday while surfing at Ballina’s Shelly Beach.

The beach did not have nets as the NSW Government trial ended earlier in the year. The Government said SMART drumlines were deployed “around the time” of the attack.

“The forum in the Whitsundays will be about taking an opportunity to discuss the best way forward for the area,” Mr Furner said.

“There should be no impact on other programs.

“If you look at the current program it has been in place since 1962, it covers 86 locations and we actually increased the funding in the program in the last budget by $2.1 million over four years.”

FOOD SCRAPS TEMPTING SHARKS CLOSER TO TRANQUIL HARBOUR

Beaches are closed after a shark attack at Shelly Beach, Ballina.

COAST MARINE EXPERT SAYS SHARK NETS ARE OUTDATED

The last fatal shark attack on a Gold Coast beach was on November 23, 1958.

Drumlines and nets were added to major swimming areas along the coast four years later.

Today, there are 35 drum lines and 11 nets stretching from Sheraton Mirage beach to Rainbow Bay.

Gold Coast leaders say protecting the city’s reputation as a safe holiday spot was paramount.

“I continue to support nets along our coastline as we have not experienced an attack in the surf zone along our entire coast for at least 30 years,” Mayor Tom Tate Tate said.

“I am confident visitors will understand that this isolated incident occurred 1100km away (Whitsundays).

Lee Jonsson, 43, was attacked while surfing at Shelly Beach, near Ballina. Source: Twitter.

“Beachgoers should listen to the advice of our lifeguards each time they visit our coastline.”

Surfers Paradise alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said the city’s reputation for safe beaches was invaluable to the economy.

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“From a tourism perspective the current program means safe beaches, which means people will return,” he said.

“What we have in place is supported by our surf lifesavers and that is significant for operators here on the Gold Coast.”

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington yesterday took a swipe at the Government’s handling of the shark control program.

“These attacks in the Whitsundays remind all of us of the real danger of sharks,” she said.

“Yet the data shows Labor is only removing half the number of sharks over two metres from Mackay waters compared to the LNP. Our position couldn’t be more clear — people before sharks.

“Queensland is also famous for our beaches and we need to protect our reputation as a safe tourism destination,” she said.