Federal Government coughs up the last piece of funding puzzle for the Birubi Information Centre

BY JARROD MELMETH

Port Stephens Council has been awarded over $4 million from the federal government to begin construction on the Birubi Information Centre.

The cash injection from the Commonwealth means the $11.4 million project is now fully funded, after $5.4 million from the state government and $2 million dollars from the council. 

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says it's a great day for Port Stephens, the Anna Bay community, the Worimi Conservation Lands and local tourism operators. 

“The Birubi Information Centre started as an idea to provide better access to the incredible Worimi Conservation Lands and the sand dunes of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council. It’s also a way to improve the experience of locals and visitors, and protect the cultural significance of this place. 

“This $4 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund means the project is now fully funded. It complements the NSW Government’s $5.4 million investment and Council’s investment of $2 million to date.

“The Birubi Information Centre will be a game-changer for Port Stephens. By creating a new gateway to the Wormi Conservation Lands, we’ll improve the visitor experience and allow our entire community to enjoy the beauty of this incredible place in a safe and sustainable way.

“This project is a true partnership with Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management, Crown Lands and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. I want to thank our partners for helping to make this vision a reality.

“A huge thank you also to the Australian Government and the NSW Government for investing in our vision for the future of Birubi Point Aboriginal Place,” Cr Palmer said.

The project is expected to begin constriction in February next year and be completed in time for Christmas 2022.

Artist impression of the centre.

Artist impression of the entry to the centre.

Cutting-Edge Shark Spotting Drones To Be Used at Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens Beaches

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A modern fleet of shark-spotting drones will soon patrol 34 beaches across the NSW coastline, including two in Hunter, with the NSW Government today announcing a new $8 million strategy to protect beachgoers from sharks.

 The 2020/21 NSW Shark strategy will see drones, which can detect the size and species of a shark, patrolling Birubi Beach in Port Stephens and Redhead beach in Lake Macquarie. 

“Drone technology has advanced dramatically in recent years, with the devices now able to fly thousands of kilometres, automatically detect the size and species of a shark as well as provide surf lifesaving assistance to distressed swimmers," Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said 

“Under the new program we will continue to deploy 35 SMART Drumlines along the north coast, which will provide ongoing protection to beachgoers and advance what is currently the largest shark tagging program in the world."

“These measures will be complemented by 21 shark detection stations along the coast as well as ongoing shark meshing on 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong."

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce welcomed the announcement. 

“The benefits have been readily evident with this increased aquatic surveillance capability, which has resulted in a multitude of warnings issued to swimmers and surfers about nearby marine life,” Mr Pearce said.

“An added benefit has also been the ability of our pilots to identify swimmers in distress, while conducting these surveillance flights, enabling a speedy response by our lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers that has undoubtedly saved lives.”

Shark Drones Return to Hunter Beaches

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A drone program improving safety at local beaches is being expanded to two popular Hunter swimming spots.

The state government will roll out the drones at Birubi and Redhead beaches this summer, allowing lifeguards another set of eyes on the surf.

The drones will be in operation from November 1st and will offer a birds-eye view for lifeguards to spot potential risks from the air.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald has said that while risk prevention is the priority, the drones will also inform future approaches for the NSW Shark Management Strategy.

The local beaches are among 15 across the NSW coast trialling the technology until April 2019.

A bull shark filmed off Redhead Beach during last season's drone trial. Image: The Herald