16/07/2026
Queensland Government refuses to expand shark spotting drone program
The Queensland government will not follow NSW’s lead in putting human life first by increasing its current drone program to 7 days a week, from dawn to dusk
Oceans for All (OFA) is calling on the Queensland Government to urgently expand its shark spotting drone program after the New South Wales Government announced a significant increase to its own successful program.
Queensland's current shark spotting drone program operates only on weekends and public holidays for a few hours each day. In contrast, following the recent shark attack at Coogee, the NSW Government announced its drone program would expand to operate seven days a week, from dawn until dusk.
OFA recently wrote to the Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, who is responsible for funding and administering the Queensland Shark Control Program, including shark spotting drones, urging him to urgently expand the Queensland program to match the NSW model and operate 365 days a year.
In his response, the Minister declined to expand the program, instead suggesting local councils could contribute funding for additional drone services.
OFA spokesperson said, "Shark control has always been the responsibility of state governments across Australia. Attempting to shift the cost of expanded shark protection onto local councils will simply place additional financial pressure on councils and could ultimately result in higher rates for residents."
"The Minister has repeatedly spoken about 'record funding' for the Queensland Shark Control Program. We question where that funding is being invested if it is not being used to better protect beach users."
During a recent meeting with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), OFA was advised of a planned five-week trial in September involving new sonar pingers fitted to shark nets at Noosa in an effort to reduce whale entanglements.
"It is concerning that the Government is prepared to invest significant funds and time into reducing whale entanglements, and its ensuring bad publicity, and preventing damage to shark nets yet is unwilling to adequately fund shark spotting drones that could operate every day of the week to protect human life."
"This Government was elected on a platform of community safety and has repeatedly stated that it puts human life first. Yet its current priorities suggest greater importance is being placed on protecting whale welfare and shark nets than expanding proven technologies that improve public safety."
OFA noted that they cannot find a single recorded shark attack at a beach while an active shark spotting drone program was operating in either NSW or Queensland.
The same cannot be said for shark nets and drumlines, which have been in place at numerous beaches where shark attacks, including fatal attacks, have still occurred.
"At Noosa alone there have been two shark attacks since shark nets were installed, involving surfers in 2001 and 2013. Sunshine Beach, which is protected by drumlines, also recorded a surfer injured in a shark attack in 2002."
"We fear the current Queensland Shark Control Program, which relies heavily on shark nets and drumlines, has become a symbol of safety rather than a system that genuinely provides the best available protection for beach users."
"We have consistently argued that catch-and-kill shark nets and drumlines do not provide the level of protection many people believe they do, whereas shark spotting drones offer a proven additional layer of safety. Queensland’s government report into the shark spotting drone trial supported this and the NSW Government's recent decision further supports that conclusion, the Minister in his letter to us also stated “safety is improved” with drones."
OFA said the expansion of the NSW drone program has also created new employment opportunities in the rapidly growing drone industry, with recruitment underway for additional drone pilots and shark spotters.
"Noosa District State High School, already offers a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) as part of its curriculum. Expanding Queensland's shark spotting drone program could create genuine local career pathways for young people while helping protect beach users."
OFA also wore to every Surf Lifesaving club on the sunshine coast requesting there support in this request and asking if they would consider offering a drone program before and after patrol hours to provide protection to their members, including Nippers, and the Public.
“It was very disappointing that not a single Surf lifesaving club from Redcliff to Rainbow Beach in the north even took the time and courtesy to even reply to us. Surf lifesaving clubs charter is the protection of human life in the aquatic environment, which is exactly what a drone program does”
OFA also welcomed the Queensland Government's recent announcement that it will undertake a DNA-based population study of Queensland shark species. The announcement follows a similar initiative by the NSW Government, building on previous DNA population studies of tiger sharks and white sharks that indicated substantial declines in those populations.
"We welcome this important research. It has the potential to finally provide objective scientific evidence about shark population trends and settle ongoing debate about whether shark numbers have increased or declined."
"In an ideal world, Queensland and New South Wales would work together on this important research. We hope political boundaries can be set aside in the interests of science, public safety and putting human life first."
