WA council proposes eco-friendly shark barrier at Perth beach

There’s a new plan to keep swimmers safe at Perth’s Cottesloe beach with the local council proposing to introduce shark nets for the first time in decades.

A council committee recommended a three-year trial for the eco-friendly shark barrier saying it would be accepted by beach go-ers.

For the committed few - sharks aren’t a worry but Cottesloe’s history of attacks is keeping some on dry land.

With drum lines gone, Cottesloe council is looking at barriers like the eco-shark barrier trialled at Coogee last summer that doesn’t trap marine life.

“If the red tape is cut a bit we can definitely have it in the water by Christmas,” said Eco-Shark Barrier Founder Craig Moss.

The company said there are three possible sites for the barrier here at Cottesloe but its preferred location is off the groyne.

If the trial is approved, the barrier would be in place from November to the end of March when surfers are banned from the area.

The council is considering putting aside $110,000 for the trial but the state government isn’t convinced.

“We’ll pick calm locations.. I know Cottesloe Beach well, where waves come over the top of the groyne,” Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett said.

“A net is probably not going to survive that.”