20 July 2015
Making Sorrento Beach safer
One of the most popular beaches in Perth’s northern suburbs will soon be made safer for swimmers and surfers after the WA State Government announced funding for a shark barrier to be installed at Sorrento Beach.
“As a regular user of Sorrento Beach, I know how popular it is with local families and visitors so I am very happy the State Government is committed to making it even safer.” Peter Katsambanis MLC, Member for North Metropolitan Region, said.
“Western Australia has some of the best and most popular beaches in the world. We need to make sure swimmers are protected from attacks using a range of measures, not just shark barriers.
“Hillarys Beach is guarded by the boat harbour, so once this enclosure is protecting Sorrento Beach, swimmers will have two fantastic local beaches to enjoy which are shielded from sharks.”
Shark barriers complement the State Government’s comprehensive suite of shark hazard mitigation measures to address public safety at beaches.
$28 million has been committed to shark mitigation measures including aerial patrols and beach surveillance by Surf Life Saving WA, the Shark Monitoring Network, research projects, community awareness, new equipment for SLSWA, patrol towers at Cottesloe and the resources to activate the serious threat policy as necessary.
“I commend the State Government, the City of Joondalup, and Surf Life Saving WA for working together to make sure local beach users are better protected.” Mr Katsambanis concluded.
This year the State Government has $2.461 million allocated to beach and aerial patrols for the 2015/16 season, plus an additional $655,000 per annum for the next three years, for extended aerial patrols in the south west. This season the extended patrols in the south west will run daily from 24 Nov 2015 to 1 Feb 2016 and over school holiday periods, weekends and public holidays from 27 September to 23 November 2015 and then from 2 Feb to 30 April 2016 (on standby and available Mon – Fri outside of school holidays).