Shark barrier blunder at beach where teen was attacked
Cooper Allen in good spirits, recovering in hospital after he was attacked by a shark. Photo: Seven Network
The day after a teenaged surfer survived a shark attack at Ballina, it has emerged that the NSW government signed contracts worth more than $2.6 million for shark barriers that were never installed.
The teenager is still recovering in Lismore Base Hospital following the attack in which he was bitten on the upper-thigh.
Cooper’s injured leg after he was bitten by a shark.
However, attempts to install the barrier were abandoned in August, due to the weather and tidal conditions at the beach.
Another barrier at nearby Lennox Head, valued at $1.33 million, was scrapped after the design was deemed inappropriate for the beach.
The contracts, with suppliers Eco Shark Barrier and Global Marine Enclosures, state they will provide “design, construction, transportation, installation, maintenance and removal” of the shark barriers.
Opposition primary industries spokesman Mick Veitch called on the Minister, Niall Blair, to explain the cost to taxpayers.
“The people of NSW need to know exactly how much has been spent to date on the failed eco-barriers,” Mr Veitch said.
“More importantly, were there exit fees or breach of contract fees because of the failure?”
Mr Veitch said the government should have known the eco-barriers were an unsuitable solution.
“If they’d spoken to the locals, they’d know there was a great risk with these eco-barriers.”
“[It’s] because of the tidal action of that part of the coastline and the waves.”
The attack on Monday was the fourth serious shark attack along the one–kilometre stretch of beach in less than two years.
Aerial photo of the shark that is believed to have attacked Cooper Allen. Photo: SharkSmart/ABC
-ABC
