NSW accused of putting swimmers at risk after failure to mend shark nets
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Version 0 of 1. The New South Wales government has been accused of failing beachgoers after it was revealed that contractors failed to maintain shark nets at central coast beaches. The NSW opposition has obtained documents from the Department of Primary Industries showing contractors were penalised for multiple breaches in 2014 and 2015, including leaving large holes in shark nets and leaving one beach without a net for more than a week. “To think you’re swimming safely at a netted beach only to learn the net never existed or had gigantic holes in the nets is everyone’s worst nightmare,” the opposition spokeswoman for the Hunter region, Kate Washington, said on Sunday. “The government has failed in its duty of care to people swimming in the Hunter.” The documents, obtained under freedom of information laws, show that in September 2014 large holes were found in shark nets at the following beaches: Killcare, McMasters, Copacabana, North Avoca, Terrigal, The Entrance and Soldiers. Inspectors found no net at Shelley Beach from at least 15-23 September 2014 and no net at Avoca Beach on 15 September and 18 September 2014. The DPI also found that central coast north shark nets were installed two days behind schedule at the start of one season. Contractors also failed to inspect the nets regularly and lied about the breaches to the department, it was found. In one case an observer was physically threatened by a deckhand after asking to be taken closer to the net that was being inspected. The opposition primary industries spokesman, Mick Veitch, said the government should have told the community and called for an urgent review of the performance of shark meshing contractors. “The minister needs to step in and give the community assurances that this will never happen again,” he said. The department’s current shark net compliance plan began in 2014/15, according to its annual report. Department observers were present for 29% of contractor inspections across NSW regions in the time period and covertly detected compliance issues with two contractors related to beach meshing. The contractors were issued formal letters and had payments withheld. The report said all issues were satisfactorily resolved. The following year observation increased to an average 34% of inspections across NSW regions in 2015/16 and “on several occasions” fisheries officers were asked to inspect specific contractors and their nets based on received information. “Investigations conducted by the shark meshing supervisor detected four instances of non-compliance with the contract,” the report said. “In all cases contractors were interviewed and four formal warnings were issued and recorded.” The primary industries minister, Niall Blair, has been contacted for comment. |