❓ The Minister for Fisheries provides an update on the automation of the shark warning system, highlighting new installations and funding for shark hazard mitigation initiatives, while contrasting the government's science-based approach with the opposition's.
AnsweredQoN 672Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SHARKS — HAZARD MITIGATION
672. Ms R.S. STEPHENS to the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's comprehensive shark hazard mitigation program. Can the
minister please update the house on the automation of the shark warning system
and outline how this will help support the government's commitment to
keeping WA beachgoers safe?
672. Ms R.S. STEPHENS to the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's comprehensive shark hazard mitigation program. Can the
minister please update the house on the automation of the shark warning system
and outline how this will help support the government's commitment to
keeping WA beachgoers safe?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for the question. It is an excellent question. I am very
pleased to inform the house of yet another addition to the McGowan Labor
government's comprehensive shark hazard management strategy, which is
the automation of parts of our shark warning system in the lead-up to summer.
Eight automated towers will be installed at Twilight, West and Kelp Beds
beaches along the Esperance coast, at Bunker Bay near Dunsborough and at
Cowaramup Bay and Lefthanders surf break there will be two each. Another two
automated towers are being installed by the
Town of Cottesloe after being refurbished by the department following the SMART
drum line trial , which are the first
warning towers to be installed in the Perth metropolitan area. I am very
pleased to install this new infrastructure for the people of Esperance,
who asked for this specifically when I met with them recently.
This investment represents yet
another enhancement of the government's comprehensive shark hazard
mitigation strategy. I am very proud of the $17 million world-leading strategy,
which is based firmly on science and research. These new measures complement
our recently allocated $12 million for Surf Life Saving WA to deliver beach and
aerial patrols to 2025, which secures the service into the future. I also
remind the house of our recent $5 million funding boost to shark hazard
mitigation initiatives, including extension of the popular $200 rebate for
personal deterrent devices, grant funding for local governments to install and
replace beach enclosures, and $2.8 million for dedicated funding for
opportunistic shark tagging and extending the range of the receivers to 800 metres.
Like
so many areas of public debate lately, the difference between the government's
and the opposition's positions could not be more stark. I noted
with interest the comments of the shadow Minister for Fisheries, Hon Colin de
Grussa, following the recent infamous
alleged shark-riding incident off the Pilbara coast. I condemn the actions of
that individual in the strongest
possible terms; it was reckless and idiotic behaviour that endangered the
safety of crew and passengers and needlessly engaged emergency services
personnel. But I was shocked to hear that Hon Colin de Grussa's response was to call for more drum lines along the Pilbara coast. More drum lines, he
said!
Ms A. Sanderson : They don't
believe in science.
Mr D.T. PUNCH : He
certainly does not. It is as if the actions of one idiotic individual would
trigger the expenditure of millions
of dollars of taxpayers' money without any reference to science or
evidence. I quote Hon Colin de Grussa on ABC Pilbara radio —
� I think there is a role for
government in this space that's for sure and I think earlier � or last
year and the year before the Government trialled drum lines �
Clearly, he is well briefed on it!
I am not sure that he has read the Chief Scientist's report. He
continues —
I think drum lines should be trialled
at as many places as possible �
He certainly has not read the
reports. The interview goes on. It makes for very interesting reading, if any
members want to read it. At the bottom, he encapsulates the whole strategy of
members opposite —
I
guess the other thing to of course is � whether we use the shark deterrent devices,
now I'm not sure how effective they are, I would suggest though
that it's not a bad idea to be using something that may help �
Clearly,
a lot of strategy and thinking has gone into that! Once again, members, as with
so many public policy issues , even the ones we have heard today, we are
reminded that there is one party in this place that trusts science and
formulates policy in a methodical and logical way based on evidence to keep Western
Australians safe and there is an alternative, which is the members opposite.
The SPEAKER : The Deputy
Leader of the Opposition with the last question.
thank the member for the question. It is an excellent question. I am very
pleased to inform the house of yet another addition to the McGowan Labor
government's comprehensive shark hazard management strategy, which is
the automation of parts of our shark warning system in the lead-up to summer.
Eight automated towers will be installed at Twilight, West and Kelp Beds
beaches along the Esperance coast, at Bunker Bay near Dunsborough and at
Cowaramup Bay and Lefthanders surf break there will be two each. Another two
automated towers are being installed by the
Town of Cottesloe after being refurbished by the department following the SMART
drum line trial , which are the first
warning towers to be installed in the Perth metropolitan area. I am very
pleased to install this new infrastructure for the people of Esperance,
who asked for this specifically when I met with them recently.
This investment represents yet
another enhancement of the government's comprehensive shark hazard
mitigation strategy. I am very proud of the $17 million world-leading strategy,
which is based firmly on science and research. These new measures complement
our recently allocated $12 million for Surf Life Saving WA to deliver beach and
aerial patrols to 2025, which secures the service into the future. I also
remind the house of our recent $5 million funding boost to shark hazard
mitigation initiatives, including extension of the popular $200 rebate for
personal deterrent devices, grant funding for local governments to install and
replace beach enclosures, and $2.8 million for dedicated funding for
opportunistic shark tagging and extending the range of the receivers to 800 metres.
Like
so many areas of public debate lately, the difference between the government's
and the opposition's positions could not be more stark. I noted
with interest the comments of the shadow Minister for Fisheries, Hon Colin de
Grussa, following the recent infamous
alleged shark-riding incident off the Pilbara coast. I condemn the actions of
that individual in the strongest
possible terms; it was reckless and idiotic behaviour that endangered the
safety of crew and passengers and needlessly engaged emergency services
personnel. But I was shocked to hear that Hon Colin de Grussa's response was to call for more drum lines along the Pilbara coast. More drum lines, he
said!
Ms A. Sanderson : They don't
believe in science.
Mr D.T. PUNCH : He
certainly does not. It is as if the actions of one idiotic individual would
trigger the expenditure of millions
of dollars of taxpayers' money without any reference to science or
evidence. I quote Hon Colin de Grussa on ABC Pilbara radio —
� I think there is a role for
government in this space that's for sure and I think earlier � or last
year and the year before the Government trialled drum lines �
Clearly, he is well briefed on it!
I am not sure that he has read the Chief Scientist's report. He
continues —
I think drum lines should be trialled
at as many places as possible �
He certainly has not read the
reports. The interview goes on. It makes for very interesting reading, if any
members want to read it. At the bottom, he encapsulates the whole strategy of
members opposite —
I
guess the other thing to of course is � whether we use the shark deterrent devices,
now I'm not sure how effective they are, I would suggest though
that it's not a bad idea to be using something that may help �
Clearly,
a lot of strategy and thinking has gone into that! Once again, members, as with
so many public policy issues , even the ones we have heard today, we are
reminded that there is one party in this place that trusts science and
formulates policy in a methodical and logical way based on evidence to keep Western
Australians safe and there is an alternative, which is the members opposite.
The SPEAKER : The Deputy
Leader of the Opposition with the last question.
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