In a recent parliamentary speech, Sandy raised Noosa’s concerns with Queensland’s Shark Control Program and urged the State Government to act on community feedback and Noosa Council’s request for a trial to replace shark nets with safe alternative measures during whale migration season. Read Sandy’s full speech at https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/speeches/spk2025/Sandy_Bolton-Noosa-20251014-537469291065.pdf.
This advocacy was based on strong community support for a trial both in Noosa MP surveys and at a September Oceans for All meeting, where 70% of business, environment, and water user groups in attendance supported a trial, following recent whale entanglements and a dolphin fatality in Noosa’s shark nets. For further information on the Oceans for All meeting, including the meeting minutes, visit https://www.sandybolton.com/shark-nets-and-control-measures-update-october-2025/.
Included in her parliamentary speech was a 2019 Federal Court ruling that found drumlines do not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark interactions, along with findings from a detailed review undertaken during the appeals tribunal case against the Queensland Government, which stated:
“The lethal component of the Shark Control Program did not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark interactions. The scientific evidence before the Tribunal was overwhelming in this regard.”
To read the full Administrative Appeals Tribunal report, visit www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5619t1516/5619t1516.pdf
A study from the University of Wollongong was also referenced, which found that shark nets do not provide reliable protection for swimmers, as they are not full barriers and only incidentally catch some sharks. The study noted that any perceived benefits are largely due to improvements in lifeguard patrols, shark detection, and emergency medical response. To read the full study, visit https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.10063.
Following her speech, Sandy again wrote to the Minister for Primary Industries, formally requesting a trial to replace shark nets in Noosa with safe alternative measures during whale migration. She also sought clarification on several aspects of the Shark Control Program and requested an investigation into claims that animals caught in shark nets may attract sharks, potentially increasing risks to beachgoers. This request was informed by a 2020 James Cook University study, commissioned by the Queensland Government, which outlined guidelines to reduce shark bite risks and advised against swimming or surfing near shark nets due to the potential for bycatch to attract sharks. The study is available at http://bit.ly/4qPCYwD, with the relevant section on page 33.
A further update will be provided once a response has been received from the minister.
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)
In October, Noosa Councillor Amelia Lorentson put forward the following motion, shown in italics below, at the LGAQ Annual Conference regarding Queensland’s Shark Control Program.
92 – Trial of non-lethal shark mitigation measures during whale migration period
Motion: That the LGAQ calls on the State Government to modernise Queensland’s Shark Control Program by working in partnership with interested coastal councils to trial non-lethal, evidence-based shark mitigation technologies such as drone surveillance, sonar detection systems, and SMART drumlines, specifically during the annual whale migration period.
The motion received strong support, passing with 204 votes in favour and only 7 against, reflecting the overwhelming consensus among Queensland’s 77 councils. The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), which represents local governments across the state and advocates at both state and federal levels, will now use this resolution to inform its policy direction and future advocacy with the Queensland Government.
For more information on the LGAQ, visit https://www.lgaq.asn.au/Home
Further information
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on the Shark Control Program, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=shark.
To read the full independent KPMG Report into the Shark Control Program, visit www.bit.ly/3VSyBT6.
To provide direct advocacy to the Minister for Primary Industries, email primaryindustries@ministerial.qld.gov.au and please copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any responses you receive.
Whale Entanglements and Approach Rules
A reminder: if residents or visitors see any whale entanglements, please report them to the Shark Control Program Hotline on 1800 806 891 and do not attempt to rescue or cut away the nets as it is a dangerous undertaking and could also put the whales at further risk.
For information on vessel and personal watercraft (PWC) approach distance rules when near whales and dolphins, please visit www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/discovering-wildlife/watching-wildlife/watching-marine-mammals/rules-for-watching-marine-mammals.
To report a breach of approach distance rules, please do so via www.detsi.qld.gov.au/contactus/feedback-forms/feedback-form-complaint#section-6 and please also provide the following details to ensure sufficient evidence is submitted:
- Details of date/time of alleged offence
- Where exactly the incident happened
- A detailed description of what happened
- Who was involved (names, boat/jet ski registration details)
- Supporting photos/videos