Shark showdown: Waverley council demands more protection before nets removed

The mayor of Waverley council, which is set to have shark nets removed this summer at one of its most famous beaches, has said it will not participate if the Minns government does not significantly increase anti-shark tech.

A Sydney council set to have shark nets removed this summer as part of a controversial government trial has indicated it will not participate if the Minns government does not significantly increase shark mitigation technology on Sydney’s most iconic beaches.

Waverley Liberal mayor Will Nemesh has said the council‘s participation in the trial hinged upon “significant increases” in the use of other technologies such as drone surveillance and SMART drumlines.

This comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed on Sunday that Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast councils have been asked by the NSW government to participate in a trial in which they nominate one beach where they want shark nets removed this summer.

For Waverley Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, only Bondi and Bronte are netted in the summer.

Bondi Beach could have shark nets completely removed this season. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire

Though both beaches are among the state’s most popular, it is understood that there has still been no agreement on whether councils who participate in the trial will be given access to an increase in other mitigation technologies.

In a letter sent on Tuesday to Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, who is in charge of shark mitigation, Mr Nemesh said the council needed extra assurances before committing to the trial.

“Council’s support for shark net removal is conditional and contingent upon significant increases in other shark management mitigation strategies including the use of drone surveillance and the deployment of SMART drumlines provided for and funded by the NSW Government,” Mr Nemesh wrote.

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh. Picture: Supplied.

Nr Nemesh said information on the alternative mitigation measures and the proposed dates of the trial would be considered by the council at a meeting on August 19 before a decision is made to take the shark nets down at either Bondi or Bronte.

Should any of the councils opt to not be part of the trial, shark nets will go up from September as usual.

Mr Nemesh told The Daily Telegraph that “there had not been enough information to council to make an informed decision”.

“We want to see research,” he said.

“If the state government wants to remove shark nets, they need to invest in other shark mitigation technologies.”

Central Coast Council has also yet to make a decision on whether it will participate in the trial, but has narrowed down the number of possible beaches to Terrigal, Umina, Avoka and Copacabana.

A council spokesperson said council would first review “the current shark management program technology in place across the region, findings from the recent trial of the removal of shark nets in March 2025, visitation of beaches and any additional risk factors” before making a decision.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Meanwhile Northern Beaches mayor Sue Heins has welcomed the trial.

Northern Beaches independent councillor Vincent de Luca said he believed the trial proposal should go out for public consultation.

“This has caused nothing but unrest in our community. I have spoken with many concerned beach-goers and especially parents who are concerned for their kids if the shark nets are removed from the beach,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said it would be up to the invited councils if they wished to participate in the trial.

“The three local councils, who have been long time advocates for the removal of shark nets and in the survey last year stated they wanted the nets removed, now have an opportunity to identify a beach where a single shark net is removed for a trial period,” she said.

“If these councils wish to participate in the trial it will take place under the comprehensive matrix of technologies offered by the NSW shark management program.”

Kyle Hawthorne, 32, and Daniela Biele, 37 are torn on whether the nets should be removed. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Meanwhile Bondi locals are torn as to whether the nets should go.

Locals Kyle Hawthorne and Daniela Biele said the removal of shark nets would mean they would need to be more cautious in the water.

“When it comes to summertime, when you’re sunbathing, and wanting to go for a casual swim, you’d probably just feel a bit more on edge knowing that you haven’t got that extra layer of protection,” Ms Biele said.

However, Mr Hawthorne added the community’s safety shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment.

“If (the nets are) doing damage, then, I’d be all for getting rid of it and using technology to manage the issue,” he said.

Originally published as Shark showdown: Waverley council demands more protection before nets removed