Minns buckles to green councils and will let them drop protective nets on our top beaches

Shark nets could be ripped out at some of Sydney’s most popular beaches this summer for the first time since the 1930s, as the Minns government faces mounting pressure from greenie suburban councils.

Exclusive: Shark nets could be ripped out at some of Sydney’s most popular beaches – including world-famous Bondi – this summer for the first time since the 1930s, as the Minns government faces mounting pressure from greenie suburban councils.

This is despite no fatal shark attacks being recorded on protected Harbour City beaches since the 1930s and the state government’s own shark management experts confirming dangerous species, such as bull sharks, are lurking around our beaches for longer due to warmer water temperatures.

The shock move has prompted tourism businesses to warn just one shark attack could derail the lucrative tourist trade.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast councils have been asked to nominate one beach where they want shark nets removed this summer – after pushing to have them all scrapped.

In a letter sent to their mayors this week, the three councils were invited to “participate in the trial” and choose “one beach … you do not want netted in the 2025/26 shark management program”.

Shark management experts have confirmed dangerous species, such as bull sharks, are lurking around our beaches for longer due to warmer water temperatures. Picture: Fiona Ayerst

The offer comes after eight coastal councils that usually deploy shark nets, spanning 51 beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong, all voted to dump the meshing program due to concerns about marine life bycatch in the last year.

For Waverley Council in the eastern suburbs, there are only two netted beaches to choose from – Bondi and Bronte – meaning two of the busiest and most famous beaches in the country could have no nets this summer.

Northern Beaches Council has 13 locations to choose from including Manly, Palm Beach, Dee Why and Narrabeen beaches. On the Central Coast, Terrigal, Avoca, Copacabana and Umina Beach are up for selection.

The three councils were chosen for the trial as they have been the most vocal about doing away with meshing after the state government looked to give councils the choice to remove nets – an offer that has since been walked back.

Councils have been given until August 22 to nominate their selected beaches to go net-free.

Shark nets are due to be installed on September 1.

However, Premier Chris Minns and his ministers will ultimately have the final say next month.

SW Shark Management program leader Marcel Green deploying the daily drum lines off Manly Beach. Picture: Thomas Lisson

If it goes ahead, it will be one of the biggest changes to the state’s meshing program since it was introduced in 1937.

But this would not be the only change, with nets set to be removed one month early again next year after they were taken down on March 31 to ensure they did not affect migrating turtles.

This is despite NSW Shark Management program leader Marcel Green warning that, as water temperatures warm, bull sharks are hanging around our beaches for longer and “arriving earlier and leaving later by a few days” in spring and autumn.

Surfing writer Fred Pawle said the nets, which are 150m long, six metres deep and set 10-12m below the surface, are designed to have a “mouse trap effect”, which he claimed is needed more than ever.

“Fisherman, divers, surfers and swimmers are all reporting that shark numbers are out of control,” Mr Pawle said.

“So it’s not a sensible decision to remove nets. It’s deliberately endangering lives in order to pander to Green voters, most of whom never go in the water.”

Sarah Charlton, Eden Lorenia and Alice Charlton say the nets give beachgoers “peace of mind”. Picture: Jonathan Ng

More than 50 sharks were sighted on Sydney say beaches in the last month alone, according to independent shark alert system Dorsal.

For Kensington twins Alice and Sarah Charlton, 20, and their cousin Eden Lorenia, 25, the nets give beachgoers “peace of mind” knowing how many sharks “are out there”.

Businesses relying on tourism dollars, such as Manly Surf Guide, are also nervous about nets being removed. Owner Ryan Hayfield said taking the nets down would not have an immediate impact on his surf lessons but, if there was a shark attack, visitors would “freak out” and it would “definitely impact the tourism industry”.

Go Beyond Tours co-owner Mark Bryant shared a similar concern for his coastal sightseeing trips, saying: “I would prefer to keep the shark nets in … if there were a spate of attacks or sightings it would have an impact (for us)”.

Maroubra surfers Tom Jones and Charlie Black said “all types of protection” should be used until alternatives are “more reliable”. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Randwick Council was spared from the trial to the relief of local Maroubra surfers Tom Jones, 19, and Charlie Black, 18, who said “all types of protection” should be used until alternatives are “more reliable”.

It comes after last summer was only the second time the full suite of safety measures – including more than 300 smart drum lines, listening stations and drones – were used alongside traditional meshing as part of the annual NSW Shark Management program.

Humane World for Animals marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck called the nets “1930s technology and attitude” with almost 90 per cent of animals caught deemed non-target species.

“Not only do they kill threatened native species like grey nurse sharks and turtles, they are incapable of reducing shark attacks,” he said.

“We’ve had nearly a century of improvements in technology and our understanding of shark behaviour, and it’s time to ditch the nets for good.”

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty oversees the state’s shark net policy and said, despite the growing push to have meshing completely removed, the safety of beachgoers remained the “government’s number one priority”.

“We have invested more than $42 million over the last two years on ensuring we have the world’s leading shark management program to protect our communities … we will continue that approach in the best form available,” Ms Moriarty said.

Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Minns buckles to green councils and will let them drop protective nets on our top beaches