As an Independent MP, it is important for Sandy to hear directly from Noosa constituents, as she does not simply adopt the ideology or beliefs of any particular political party, nor her own views, instead strives to represent the diversity of the Noosa State Electorate objectively.
As previous when community concerns are brought to us that are complex or controversial, after obtaining further information through state avenues and stakeholders, we then conduct a survey of Noosa Electorate residents. This latest call out was regarding the use of shark nets at Noosa Main Beach which included whether further alternative shark control measures were supported during whale migration season, or throughout the year in efforts to reduce impacts to other marine species including turtles.
Summary & Response
The Survey ran from 12/03/2024 to 1/04/2024 and was broadcast as standard via Facebook, sent to our newsletter subscribers as well through newspaper columns and in radio interviews. A total of 450 responses were recorded for the survey, with 45 responses invalid as they were from residents of other State Electorates.
Of the 405 Noosa Electorate responses, the majority (75.06%) did not support the continued use of shark nets on Noosa Main Beach however they differed when it came to the specifics. This included in relation to whale migration season where 68.96 % supported removing the nets without an alternative shark control method however only 51.65% supported this all-year round.
We thank those who also sent additional comments via email with a common theme being that there have been no fatalities at Noosa since the shark nets were implemented, as well others who raised the need to use alternatives such as drumlines instead of nets.
Survey results, including that over 83% supported additional funding is needed for education and research, will now be taken forward to the Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries. This with an emphasis to accelerate trials currently underway into alternative shark control methods, in efforts to reduce impacts to marine life while maintaining human safety.
In addition, our office will continue to work with advocates, Noosa Council, Tourism Noosa, the Noosa Biosphere Foundation and our community to obtain a united consensus, as this is vital moving into the future.
Full Survey Results by Question
Please find the graphs and results to each individual question below:
Q1. How would you rate your knowledge about the impact of shark nets on marine life?
No knowledge: 2.47%
Somewhat knowledge: 68.64%
Very knowledgeable: 28.89%
Of the 405 respondents to the last question, 393 continued the survey.
Q2. Do you support the continued use of shark nets at Noosa Main Beach?
Yes: 16.79%
No: 75.06%
Undecided: 8.14%
Q3. During whale migration season (June- October), do you support the removal of shark nets without an alternative shark control measure in place?
Yes: 68.96%
No: 24.68%
Undecided: 6.36%
Q4. During whale migration season (June- October), do you support the removal of shark nets only with an alternative shark control measure in place?
Yes: 50.13%
No: 38.68%
Undecided:11.20%
Q5. Do you support the removal of shark nets all year round without an alternative shark control measure in place?
Yes: 51.65%
No: 40.20%
Undecided: 8.14%
Q6. Do you support the removal of shark nets all year round only with an alternative shark control measure in place?
Yes: 53.18%
No: 34.86%
Undecided: 11.96%
Q7. Would you support the government increasing funding and accelerating research and trials currently underway into alternative shark control measures?
Yes: 83.72%
No: 8.65%
Undecided: 7.63%
Further information
Thank you to all residents who participate in any Noosa issue specific surveys, and/or our annual Noosa MP Community Survey as it is important to gather this information. For those wishing to also advocate with the relevant Minister directly regarding shark control methods, please consider emailing agriculture@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.
For participants from outside the Noosa State Electorate, thank you also for submitting, and we ask that you send your views to your local Queensland MP. If you are unsure which electorate you live in, you can search at www.ecq.qld.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/where-is-my-electorate.
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on shark control methods, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=shark
Noosa State Electorate Surveys
To see results from our surveys on others matters relevant to Noosa, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Survey.
For Noosa Electorate residents, to ensure you are advised of any Noosa specific surveys, please subscribe to Sandy’s monthly email newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters, or by calling our office on 53193100 as hardcopies can be sent.