ROLLOUT OF OBSERVATION TOWERS ON STATE BEACHES

Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair has announced seven priority projects to improve shark surveillance at a number of the State’s beaches, with the installation of observation towers and emergency evacuation alarms.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has allocated $30,000 annually since we introduced this program in 2011, to provide councils and other organisations funding to ensure more eyes are on the water to help spot sharks,” he said.

“This is just one of the measures the NSW Government is putting in place to protect beachgoers from Bega to Tweed Heads.”

More than $13,000 will be funded under the 2015-16 program for observation towers at Manly Beach, One Mile Beach at Port Stephens, Warilla Beach at Shellharbour and Lighthouse Beach, Ballina.

The towers will provide a clearer line of vision for surf lifesavers to spot sharks, and is useful for spotting people in distress and monitoring beach conditions.

In addition, Marine Rescue has been allocated $3000 to purchase stabalising binoculars, Surf Life Saving NSW with more than $8000 for emergency evacuation alarms and approximately $5000 to Kiama Council for aerial inflatable remote shark human interaction prevention.

The NSW Government is committed to protecting beach-goers in NSW and this funding will complement the recently announced $16 million Shark Management Strategy.

Further information about the Department of Primary Industries’ SharkSmart programs can be found at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/sharks.