Shark nets could be removed at Bondi Beach as NSW government considers trial

An iconic Aussie beach could be in for a major change as one state considers ditching shark nets in select council areas ahead of summer.

Popular Sydney beaches including Bondi Beach could be in for a major change as the state government considers a trial to remove shark nets.

The NSW government has reportedly asked Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast councils to each select a beach to trial the removal of shark nets this summer, The Daily Telegraph revealed.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park on Sunday called it an opportunity for local councils to use technology, acknowledging “widespread” issues with the nets.

Popular Sydney beaches including Bondi Beach could be in for a major change ahead of a trial to remove shark nets.Picture: NewsWire / David Swift

Shark nets could be removed from beaches in the Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast council areas. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“We know the problems with nets are widespread, in particular around getting other species of marine life caught in those areas. I know that’s been a challenge in my own community,” Mr Park told reporters at a press conference on Sunday morning.

“There’s an opportunity for local councils to do that, then with the support of other electronic devices and other information technology initiatives and innovations to try and reduce the ability for sharks to cause damage to humans.”

Bronte and Bondi beach both have shark nets. Picture: Wikimedia Commons

He said the government was working through evidence, but a decision on removing the nets was yet to be made.

“That’ll be a decision that we take as a cabinet when we see fit, but it’s certainly something that we are looking at,” Mr Park said.

“I know, as a coastal MP, fire and foremost, our priority is keeping our locals and our humans and our visitors safe in the water.”

Ryan Park said no decisions on removing the nets have been made yet. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Mr Park said feedback would be sought from local councils, who are “in charge of essentially looking after our beaches and keeping our people safe”.

Over in Waverley, Bondi and Bronte are the only beaches that use shark nets, which could spell a major change for Sydney’s most iconic beach.

Waverley Mayor Cr Will Nemesh said the council would only support removing the nets if there was a significant increase in other strategies to mitigate sharks.

“Waverley Council’s position is clear: the safety of our community comes first,” Mr Nemesh said.

“Ultimately the decision around shark net removal will be a decision of the state government.”

A Waverley Council spokesperson said the removal of any shark nets would be conditional on significantly increasing the use of drones and SMART drumlines at the beaches, which would need to be resourced by the state government.

“Waverly Council’s submissions on this have been consistent: that safety must come first before any changes in shark nets are made,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as Shark nets could be removed at Bondi Beach as NSW government considers trial