Council Rules Out Glenelg Shark Net

January 12, 2006

Release from:
By Xanthe Kleinig
The Advertiser

Holdfast Bay Council has ruled out a shark net to protect swimmers on the the city's most popular beach.

At its Tuesday meeting, the council agreed to give "in principle" support for reducing the risk of shark attack on Adelaide beaches, but specifically ruled out shark nets or repellant at Glenelg.

Holdfast Bay Mayor Ken Rollond said the council felt a permanent barrier was "cost prohibitive" and would prefer the State Government to continue aerial surveillance.

"We should be doing what we can to prevent the risk of shark attack for the whole of the metropolitan coast," he said.

Member for Morphett Duncan McFetridge had proposed a permanent 1 1/2km-long barrier from the Patawalonga to the Glenelg jetty to protect swimmers.

He said he was "very disappointed" the council had not taken his proposal further.

"There is a need to have a system in place that gives people 100 per cent security. More equipment and more safety campaigns is not the answer."