Vanessa Hall
Editor
THE CRISAFULLI Queensland State Government has expanded the Queensland Shark Control Program (QSCP) with more nets and more drumlines to be placed off the Queensland coast in a bid to ensure the safety of beach goers. The news has been met with condemnation as to how effective the program is, with a whale only last week tangled in shark nets off the coast, and many opponents of the QSCP stating that nets and drumlines do more damage than good.
The new plan, which will commence in July, combines what the Government is calling “proven safety measures like shark nets and drumlines” at more Queensland beaches whilst also using aids like drone surveillance and whale-deterrent measures.
Seven beaches have been identified as potential candidates for expanded drumlines or nets, and both Coolum North and Peregian North have been identified based on Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) data showing increasing beach use.
The identified beaches and locations will now be subject to further detailed assessment in conjunction with stakeholders, and expert scientists and further consultation will occur with communities.
The State Government is citing inaction under Labor for the expansion of the QSCP, with Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett stating that the program is a fresh start for anyone who loves Queensland beaches, fishers and values our $33 billion tourism industry.
“It’s clear the program had lost its way under previous Labor governments, who failed to act and put people after the demands of environmental activists.
“This plan recalibrates to protect people, while ensuring the ocean ecosystem remains healthy and thrives into the future.”
Local MPs have their say
Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton is one of the voices against the expansion, citing that the QSCP “raises concerns”.
“Given the work within the Noosa community to advocate for safe alternatives to shark nets, this decision is deeply disappointing as it contradicts recommendations in the independent review to minimise negative impacts on marine ecosystems, which the report states the QSCP’s operations do not currently achieve. In addition, the report recommends the trialling of the removal of shark nets during the winter whale migration season, which appears absent in the QSCP,” Ms. Bolton said.
The independent review of the QSCP was commissioned by the previous State Government and undertaken by KPMG and was released on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
“The selection of Peregian as a potential site raises questions given considerable community opposition, and we are seeking from the minister the rationale for this as well and why net removal trials were not considered despite being recommended by the report,” Ms. Bolton said.
Minister for Ninderry Dan Purdie said that he was confident in the efficacy of the expanded program.
“I believe the most important role of any government is to protect the safety of its citizens,” Mr Purdie said.
“I understand the community has concerns about how shark nets and drumlines impact other sea creatures, and I am a strong advocate for protecting all flora and fauna to the best of our ability, but the balance needs to be in favour of human life.
“It is important to understand that while new nets and drumlines will be installed where they haven’t been previously, these are just one component of a multifaceted approach to shark control. In fact I believe the community will be somewhat reassured by the fact that 65 per cent of the additional funding for the program is for non-lethal methods like drones, whale deterrent innovation and shark research.”
Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson said that Mooloolaba Beach would be one of the first to have added drone capabilities.
“This new funding will increase the monitoring of the nets while also introducing a Shark Drone Program starting initially at ten beaches across Queensland (Coolum is one). One of the first beaches to be trialed will be Mooloolaba Beach, and it will be progressively expanded to 20 beaches by 2026 – 2027 onwards to complement traditional measures.”
Councillors share personal concerns
Sunshine Coast Council Division 8 and Division 9 Councillors Taylor Bunnag and Maria Suarez have also stated that they have concerns about the expansion of the program.
Sunshine Coast Council does not have an official stand or jurisdiction over the issue, and all comments are their own.
“The State Government’s decision doesn’t accord with the work that has been done in this space, particularly the independent KPMG Shark Control Evaluation Plan, which states that nets and drumlines do not achieve the desired ecosystem outcomes,” Cr Bunnag said.
“The recommendation was to trial removing nets during the winter whale migration season to reduce entanglement. The decision to implement further traditional methods is out of step with the independent recommendations, and there hasn’t been sufficient justification from the State Government about why they’ve decided to go against the independent recommendations of experts.”
Cr Suarez furthered these concerns.
“I haven’t seen how the recent announcement by the State Government to expand the shark control program has applied any cost-benefit analysis to this rollout. How many shark sightings were reported in the roll-out areas? How many attacks have been made on humans in the rollout areas? How many animals and of which species have been injured or killed in existing shark nets?
“Not once have I heard a member of the community suggest or request increased shark controls, especially in the form of shark netting.
“There have been many reports of marine life becoming trapped in shark nets; however, the data around this isn’t truly known, and my efforts in trying to get accurate data on the species and number of animals detrimentally impacted have gone unanswered.”
The negative impact that these shark control measures have on other species is backed up by Coolum and North Shore Coast Care President Leigh Warneminde.
“We will likely see more whale entanglements, and they are really distressing, and there are many more that we don’t see. A lot of what does get caught in nets is protected species, and it makes no sense that the Queensland Government tries to protect species on one hand and then, on the other, they are actively endangering others.
“We would like to see all nets removed during whale season at least.”
Marine Biologist, Lawrence Chlebeck from the Humane World for Animals Australia, said the expansion of the program will, without a doubt, lead to more entanglements.
“It’s wild that in the face of undeniable evidence of the nets’ ineffectiveness for public safety, the Queensland Government is not only refusing to remove shark nets, but they’ve proposed adding more. It simply means more animals like whales will be entangled and die without any benefit to public safety.
“Successful trials of drones to keep an eye out for sharks and alert lifesavers to swimmers at risk of drowning at Southeast Queensland beaches, make the continued use of a 61-year-old shark net strategy redundant.”
State Gov stands by expansion
The Crisafulli Government’s plan includes expanded research into shark populations, including the impact of the Shark Control Program on target shark species.
“Research shows, and the KPMG report confirms, that traditional methods (nets and drumlines) are still the most effective way of protecting swimmers,” Mr Purdie stated.
“Until the new technology is scientifically proven as effective at protecting beach goers as traditional methods, we will continue to invest in what keeps Queenslanders and our beaches safe.
“The new Shark Control Management Plan 2025-29 strikes a balance between using existing control techniques while increasing non-lethal modern technology.”
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