Beach safety technology expanded to Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

New technology helping to keep beachgoers safe is being expanded to Newcastle.

The Smart Beaches program is already being used at Lake Macquarie, but the State Government is now extending it to five more council areas along the coast.

Digital Government Minister Victor Dominello says it will help both lifeguards and visitors feel more secure on the shore.

"We’ll be using wave detection buoys, artificial intelligence cameras and surf rescue boards fitted with GPS technology to gather accurate data on beach conditions so our lifeguards can be better prepared for the busy summer ahead," he said. 

"These smart devices will provide real-time readings on tide conditions and wave patterns, as well as help predict how many people will visit the beach, how long they will stay and the most popular times for a swim."

The $1.6 million spend will also see the program expanded to Randwick, Sutherland, Wollongong, and the Central Coast.

Image credit: Visit Newcastle.

Summer patrol hours extended on Lake Macquarie beaches

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lifeguards will patrol Lake Macquarie beaches for an extra two hours every day through Summer, after new data revealed people are showing up later for a dip.

The flags will be up at Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves, and Catherine Hill Bay beaches from 8am to 6pm, instead of 9am to 5pm, until Sunday 29 January.

Council's Smart Beaches monitoring program is showing more people are heading to the beach before and after work, especially from 5pm to 6pm on weekdays.

It's hoped the extended hours will also ease pressure on the 9am to 10am peak on weekends.

More than one million people are expected to visit the city's beaches over the season.

Senior Lifeguard Byron Howarth at Redhead Beach.

Hunter community cheering as PM gives PEP11 the boot

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has said, they won't give the green tick to a controversial gas exploration permit off the Hunter coast.

The Government advised New South Wales and the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator of their decision to refuse Advent Energy's application to extend PEP11 on Wednesday.

The future of the license has been in limbo for more than 300 days.

There's concern offshore drilling would devastate the marine environment, as well as industries reliant on the ocean and beaches.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy says the community's welcoming the move.

"It would imperil tens of thousands of local jobs," Mr Conroy said.

"You just think about all the jobs that depend upon our pristine coastline, whether it's tourism, whale-watching, hospitality, the cafes and restaurants along our coast, commercial fishing, recreational fishing, the bait shops."

"They all depend on our beautiful and healthy beaches and marine ecosystem."

The Federal Government announced the refusal, citing the community opposition and their own disagreeing with reasons for the extension, as well as concern the company couldn't raise funds in a timely manner. 

Mr Conroy says it's about time the permit was shown the door.

"For many of us, the only place we were allowed to go during the COVID lockdown was the beach, so lots of people were worried about losing their beaches and coastline," Mr Conroy said.

"I'm still angry that the Government took 300 days more than they did, but I am relieved by this decision."

Lifesavers Urging Families to Swim Between the Flags This Summer, After Teenager Drowns Near Forster

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter lifesavers are asking families and holidaymakers to stay between the red and yellow flags and swim at patrolled locations after a teenager was caught in a rip and drowned at Diamond Beach, near Forster on Wednesday,

Police officers and paramedics performed CPR in an attempt to revive the 17 year old boy, but were unable to save his life.

Another family member who attempted to rescue the boy was hospitalised and treated for water inhalation.

Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, said it was a "heartbreaking incident" to begin the school holidays.

"Please, if you're heading to the beach these school holidays, or this coming long weekend, swim at a patrolled location and always swim between the red and yellow flags," Mr Pearce said.

Lifesavers and lifeguards are on high alert as the weather warms up and are urging swimmers to exercise extra caution at unpatrolled locations.

Volunteers are also now back at Australian beaches on weekends and public holidays.

Image credit:www.surflifesaving.com.au

Hunter Shark Net Data Reveals Death of Marine Life

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The NSW Greens are launching a fresh push to remove shark nets off Hunter beaches, following the release of a state government report.

It found throughout the 2017-18 period, 93 marine animals became caught in the nets, with 42% dying as a result.

Several of those were non-target species like turtles and rays and threatened Grey Nurse Sharks. 

Marine life caught off Newcastle, Bar, Stockton, Dixon Park, Merewether and Redhead account for 23% of the creatures snagged in nets between Newcastle and Wollongong.

Greens MP Justin Field wants to see money funnelled into other bather protection methods such as life-saver monitored drones.

"I'm calling on NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair to abandon the shark net program...and to redirect those resources into more effective, non-lethal technologies, including the targeted use of SMART drumlines," Mr Field said. 

"The best long-term solution is to move away entirely from lethal options like shark nets to community-based observer programs," he continued, "better resourcing volunteer and professional life-guarding services, drone surveillance technology and community awareness..." 

It comes as Summer netting preparations get underway for a September start. 

Image: SunshineCoast Daily.