City of Fremantle to ask State Government for $200k for shark barrier at Bathers Beach

The City of Fremantle will ask the State Government for $200,000 for a shark barrier at Bathers Beach.

Councillors approved the enclosure on Wednesday in a bid to activate the 300m sand strip, despite a lack of shark sightings and public support for the location.

Mixed support was received during a public submission period, with 52 per cent of the 159 respondents not supporting the Bathers Beach location.

They preferred other beaches and were concerned about parking and traffic issues, as well as that the location was spurred by “financial motive” and “commercial benefits” over legitimate safety concerns.

The council’s decision to investigate shark nets followed the death of teenager Stella Berry in the Swan River last year and 57-year-old Paul Millachip at Port Beach in 2021.

Authorities confirmed a tagging program prompted by the attack on Stella in February 2023 had yet to catch a single bull shark by March this year.

But mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the deliberate decision to choose the central and “underutilised” beach was because shark barriers attracted more swimmers.

“They attract a lot more people,” she said.

“You’re not catering to an existing beach population, you’re catering to a population of people who currently do not go to the beach and swim.”

She said popular beaches such as Leighton and Port Beach — which has recorded more shark sightings and attacks than Bathers Beach in recent years — were watched more closely by surf lifesaving clubs.

Cr Andrew Sullivan said he was not “completely convinced” the move would increase the amount of regular swimmers and that there would always be a risk of a shark attack.

“The majority of people who are unfortunately attacked by sharks are adventurous people like me who put on a snorkel and go crayhunting on reefs, or go scubadiving with a spear in their hand or do long distance swimming,” he said.

“None of those things get done inside safe swimming areas.”

Cr Fedele Camarda said a shark barrier in the heart of Fremantle would support a growing population.

“To be able to walk to a beach that offers that peace of mind in what we’re proposing is a really good thing for the city,” he said.

City officers will now seek funding from the State Government and look to formalise an offer from local business owner Nick Unmack, who told PerthNow in December he would contribute to the maintenance of the barrier.

The decision also adds weight to a proposal for a shark barrier at Harvey Beach in North Fremantle.

The State’s shark hazard mitigation program offers up to $400,000 per year for local government projects, while maintenance is undertaken by the council.