More mobile shark observation “towers” will be built to be placed at all patrolled beaches in the Eurobodalla Shire thanks to a $22,000 grant from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
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Eurobodalla Shire Council has received the grant for the construction of five additional lifeguard towers to give coverage to all patrolled beaches in the Shire.
Lifeguarding Services Australia – Eurobodalla chief lifeguard Stan Wall said the shark observation tower program actually began last summer when his organisation worked with the Eurobodalla Council to have towers built and placed at Narooma, Broulee and Surf Beach.
The towers are relatively small and mobile, able to be towed around the beach, and stand around 2.5-metres-high, giving lifeguards shelter and a raised view of the beach to keep an eye on swimmers and any sharks. The design was based on platforms in use by the council at Kiama.
“We have also come to an agreement with the Far South Coast surf lifesaving organisation to make available the platforms for use by the volunteers on patrolled beaches outside of our season,” Mr Wall said. "The others will be stored at the council depot.”
The latest DPI grant will allow the construction of five additional towers for use by lifeguards at beaches at Dalmeny, Tuross Head, Moruya, North Head Moruya and Malua Bay.
The Eurobodalla project was one of nine projects to receive priority funding from the NSW Government to improve shark detection and beachgoer safety from NSW beaches this summer, Dr Geoff Allan, NSW DPI Deputy Director General, Fisheries said on Thursday, January 18.
The funding is part of $200,000 on offer to community groups to improve shark surveillance and safety for beachgoers as part of the Shark Observation Grants Program.
“For a number of years, the NSW Government has allocated grants up to a project total of $30,000 for local surf clubs and councils to improve shark surveillance at a number of the State’s beaches,” Dr Allan said.
“The popular Shark Observation Grants Program is in conjunction with the $16 million shark management strategy and the Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) program.”
This year’s successful applicants are:
- Wollongong City Council: Purchase Surveyor “Junior” Observation Tower for Scarborough Beach - $22,000;
- Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW: Purchase 50 new hand held SLS capable UHF radios - $41,250;
- Salt Beach SLSC Incorporated: solar PA and loudhailer system for their current observation tower - $2,824;
- Kiama Municipal Council: Purchase Surveyor “Junior” Observation Tower for Seven Mile Beach - $38,500
- Eurobodalla Shire Council: Construction of 5 lifeguards towers to give tower coverage to the remainder of the beaches in the LGA - $22,000
- Coffs Harbour City Council: Purchase 11 x portable megaphones and 11 x Bushnell binoculars - $9,326
- Lake Macquarie City Council: Purchase drone and train staff to conduct a 14 week drone trial for shark observation and beach safety -$33,290
- Surf Lifesaving New South Wales: Purchase and disseminate standardized shark signage across all NSW patrolled beaches -$19,986
- Shellharbour City Council: Purchase solar panels for current observation tower - $7,000
“Improved surveillance on beaches or beach headlands provide a clearer line of vision for surf lifesavers and lifeguards to spot sharks, and are also useful for spotting people in distress and monitoring beach conditions,” Dr Allan said.
“A number of different projects can be funded, including observation towers, new observation equipment, emergency evacuation alarms and communication systems on beaches and headlands for effective shark detection, community awareness and enhanced bather safety.
“Applications may also be made for mobile structures or to compliment fixed observation tower projects and for observation equipment and warning systems to enhance bather safety.”
For more information visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/sharks/management/shark-observation-grant-program
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
