Protected Swimming Enclosure/Shark Barrier
***Season Extended***
Following consultation with our community in 2022, Council supported the feedback received to keep the shark barrier at Cottesloe Main Beach in place for the month of April (in previous years the barrier has been removed at the end of March).
We are pleased to let you know that the barrier will remain in place over Easter and the April school holiday break, and will be removed towards the end of April, dependent on the weather.
Background
Early in 2019 the Town of Cottesloe investigated the possibility of installing a protected swimming enclosure at Cottesloe Beach and at a Special Council meeting held in June, a contract to construct, install and maintain the enclosure was awarded to Eco Shark Barrier Pty Ltd.
The Town sought and obtained the necessary approvals for the installation of the enclosure and, with the barrier being built off site by Eco Shark Barrier, it is now ready to be installed.
The swimming enclosure is built off the groyne and stretches out 170 metres north from the groyne and 140 metres from the shore. The barrier has been constructed from flexible nylon which moves with the water. It will be removed for the winter months – around 31 March each year, and will be installed again in late October.
The first installation of the enclosure was done in two stages, beginning with the anchors, which was done over approximately two days and commenced on 7 October 2019.
The barrier was then installed over approximately four days which started on 4 November 2019 and was ready for use on the 8 November 2019.