CITY of Coffs Harbour Council has unanimously resolved to push for the extension of the NSW Government’s shark monitoring program to cover the northern section of the Local Government Area (LGA).
Presently the SMART (Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real Time) drumline program operates between Sawtell and Diggers Beach, but not at any local beaches north of Diggers.
SMART drumlines are designed as a non-lethal, technology-based shark management tool that provides real-time alerts, improves situational awareness, and supports informed decision-making by beach users and authorities.
At the Council’s 26 February Ordinary Meeting, councillors acknowledged the LGA’s northern beaches were heavily used by residents, visitors, surfers and ocean swimmers, and formed an important part of the region’s recreational, tourism and coastal lifestyle offering.
In a motion proposed by Councillor Paul Amos, they resolved to make representations to the NSW Government through Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh, requesting that SMART drumline coverage be extended from Sawtell through to Corindi/Red Rock.
A staff report to the council noted City of Coffs Harbour had written to the NSW Agriculture Minister in March 2025 requesting additional funding to enable community shark bite kits to be located at Coffs Harbour beaches, with a response yet to be received.
By Mike HELY
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