Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s decision to reintroduce shark nets at Central Coast beaches in the upcoming summer swimming season.
“It’s absolutely appalling that the Minns Government will introduce shark nets across the coastline of New South Wales, including the Central Coast.”
Mr Crouch said that the Shark Meshing Annual Performance Report 2022/23 prepared by the Department of Primary Industries proved that shark nets are an ineffective shark mitigation strategy, and local Central Coast Labor members played a part in this re-introduction of shark nets.
“The request by Central Coast Council for three S.M.A.R.T drumlines at Killcare, Lakes and Ocean Beaches has been totally ignored by the Minns Government, the Member for Wyong and the Member for Gosford.”
Mr Crouch said that despite having previously spoken against shark nets while in opposition, the Member for Gosford and Member for Wyong are silent as to why their government won’t provide the necessary S.M.A.R.T drumlines for our beaches.
“Time and time again it’s clear that our self-proclaimed strong voices in government will say all they can in Opposition but when it’s time to be held accountable they flee for the hills – and you can bet your bottom dollar that they won’t be speaking up to remove these shark nets.”
“What is even more reprehensible is that the Member for Gosford has defended the re-introduction of shark nets as necessary for data collection on the effectiveness of the current shark mitigation program.”
“How many more leatherback turtles, whales and sharks need to die for data collection?”
Mr Crouch said that solid groundwork for the removal of shark nets was laid by the former Liberal-National Government with the largest investment in the world of $85 million in shark mitigation technologies in New South Wales.
“The Labor Government is missing out on capitalising on this great Coalition investment and instead has decided to re-introduce these walls of marine death into our oceans.” said Mr Crouch.