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After a week that’s left beachgoers rattled, and some families and communities devastated, the NSW Government has announced a $4.2 million expansion of its shark safety program – and it’s rolling out fast, just in time for peak summer swimming season.
The boost comes off the back of an unprecedented number of shark incidents and a growing understanding that certain conditions – storms, heavy rainfall and murky water – can dramatically increase risk. According to the NSW Government, the new funding leans hard into research, real-time tracking and very visible surveillance, aiming to give swimmers and surfers clearer, more practical information about when (and when not) to get in the water.
A big slice of the funding is going straight to Surf Life Saving NSW’s drone program, which is about to get a serious glow-up. Since January 24, shark surveillance drones have been added to 30 more beaches across the state, including 19 new locations in Sydney and 11 regional beaches. Plus, drones will now operate seven days a week through to the end of the April school holidays – meaning more eyes in the sky during the busiest (and riskiest) months of the year.
Here in Sydney, you’re likely to spot drones buzzing overhead at spots including Avalon, Mona Vale, North Narrabeen, Collaroy, Freshwater, Long Reef and North Steyne, while regional additions stretch from Crowdy Head on the Mid North Coast to Windang near Lake Illawarra. According to Surf Life Saving NSW, this expansion represents a 90 per cent increase on the current drone program, adding an estimated 35,000 flying hours between late January and April.
But drones are only part of the picture. A significant portion of the funding will support harbour-focused research into bull sharks – a species known to move into estuaries and the harbour, particularly after major weather events. Scientists from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will tag and monitor sharks to better understand how many are around, how long they stay, where they move and when risk is highest. New shark listening stations will also be installed in Sydney Harbour, allowing faster detection of tagged sharks and quicker alerts for harbour users.
All of that data will feed into the other big focus of the package: clearer communication. The “SharkSmart” education campaign is being expanded, with new signage, an extra mobile education van, more social media alerts and targeted community warnings during periods of elevated risk.
These new measures build on NSW’s existing Shark Management Program, which already includes real-time alerts, seasonal shark nets and a statewide network of listening stations. Add in December’s extra $2.5 million boost – which brought earlier drone starts, weekend flights and more shark bite kits in regional areas – and this summer’s approach is sounding as though it should be pretty solid.
As Minister Tara Moriarty put it, there’s no single fix and no promise of zero risk. But with better research, more drones and smarter warnings, heading to the beach this summer should come with a little less guesswork on the shark front.
You can learn more about the NSW shark safety program over here.
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