Noosa 360

Following our June Update and with reference to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Service Delivery Statement (p.2), which commits to conducting scientific research into shark populations and delivering a strengthened Queensland Shark Control Program for the protection of Queensland beachgoers, we submitted a Question on Notice to the Minister for Primary Industries asking: 

• (a) what funding has been allocated in 2026–27 to assess, trial or implement alternatives to shark nets, including expanded drone surveillance and other non-lethal shark mitigation technologies 

• (b) what alternative technologies or management approaches are currently being assessed and the timeframe for any trials or implementation 

• (c) whether Noosa beaches are being considered for trials of shark net alternatives or expanded shark drone operations, including seven-day monitoring, and if not, why not 

• (d) whether any shark net alternative trials or expanded drone operations are expected to commence before or during the 2026 whale migration season 

• (e) how data collected through the Queensland SharkSmart Drone Trial and other monitoring programs will be used to assess the effectiveness of alternatives to shark nets and inform future shark management decisions 

The Minister has since provided the following response: 

$12.581 million has been allocated to research and trials of alternatives in 2026/27, including the SharkSmart drone program and the catch alert drumline trial in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The priority for the investment is to expand operations to a total of 21 beaches in 2026/27, with strategic placement of launch and retrieval zones allowing drone coverage for neighbouring beaches, bringing the total number of beaches in the program to more than 30. I note that Noosa Main Beach was the first site in Queensland to trial extended visual line-of-sight flights, which has enabled extended coverage to include both Noosa Main Beach and Noosa West. A trial of beyond visual line-of-sight operations is also in development, with Noosa under consideration as a trial location. As we have previously advised, the Program will continue to use shark nets and traditional drumlines until alternatives are proven effective at reducing the risk of shark attacks. 

As previously advised, a framework for the systematic identification, trial, and assessment of new technologies and management practices will be developed and implemented for the Program. Suitable sites for trials will be determined once the framework has been developed and alternatives suitable for trial have been identified. Your support for Noosa as a trial site for alternative technologies has been noted. 

DPI has also partnered with The University of Queensland to deliver a trial of modified acoustic whale alarms at Noosa during the 2026 southern whale migration period. The trial aims to determine whether the modified alarms are effective at reducing the risk of whale entanglements in shark nets used in the Program. 

We welcome confirmation that Noosa’s drone monitoring trials have been recognised, and that Noosa is under consideration as a site for the forthcoming beyond visual line-of-sight trial. We also welcome confirmation that DPI has partnered with the University of Queensland to trial modified acoustic whale alarms on shark nets at Noosa during the 2026 southern whale migration period. 

This builds on a drone program that has already operated for four years across 10 beaches statewide, recording more than 22,000 flights, over 5,600 shark detections, and 46 beach evacuations. 

While these measures are welcome, we continue to advocate for genuine seven-day drone monitoring coverage beyond weekends, public holidays and school holidays, a confirmed timeframe for the beyond visual line-of-sight trial, and a clearly defined, measurable standard for when shark net alternatives will be considered “proven effective.” We also note the Minister’s response did not address how SharkSmart drone data will be used to assess the effectiveness of alternatives to shark nets and will continue to seek clarification on this point. 

We will provide a further update once the Shark Mitigation Alternatives Framework is publicly released and results from the whale alarm trial are available. 

Further information 

For previous Shark Control Program updates, visit: sandybolton.com/?s=shark 

To contact the Minister for Primary Industries regarding the Shark Control Program, email: primaryindustries@ministerial.qld.gov.au 

Please copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive