THE condition of the shark net at Bar Beach Narooma has become quite the topic of discussion around town.
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The barrier net cops the rough seas that make it through the Narooma bar entrance and just lately is looking a little worse for wear.
The Narooma News has received a few letters and also some photos sent in from residents concerned about the state of the net and any potential impact on tourism and also the amenity for locals.
We spoke to the Eurobodalla mayor Lindsay Brown over the weekend and he says the net will come out after Easter to be either repaired or replaced.
He did say council has been reluctant to add new buoys to the net as they go missing, either getting broken off and washed away by the elements or heaven forbid stolen by some unscrupulous person or persons.
The shark net meanwhile was also discussed at Tuesday night’s Eurobodalla Shire Council meeting.
Councillors Neil Burnside and Liz Innes, who both were spotted enjoying the atmosphere at the Narooma Oyster Festival over the weekend, brought up the maintenance issue.
Clr Innes held concerns for the condition of the net while deputy mayor Burnside said citizens were constantly raising the issue with him about the buoys going disappearing.
Through discussions with council infrastructure director Warren Sharpe, he said the conclusion was that the buoys were actually being pulled under due to the algae build up on the net below.
He continued to say - maintenance on the net is becoming a more serious issue and a lack of maintenance means we will have to replace the net prior to its 10-year life span.
“At a cost of $25,000 we cannot afford to do that and need to keep it maintained.”