A shark enclosure will be installed at Bicton Baths in Perth's south following a fatal attack in the Swan River last Saturday.
Key points:
- The government hopes the enclosure will be in place by next summer
- Six other councils have also been invited to consider installing barriers
- It follows the death of teenager Stella Berry last weekend
The West Australian government has partnered with the City of Melville to deliver the project, with the aim of having the barrier installed at the popular swimming spot by next summer.
Fisheries Minister Don Punch said he had also written to six other councils, inviting them to talk about further opportunities for installing the barriers along the Swan River.
"But we also have to take note of traffic and environmental factors as well," Mr Punch said.
"So this is going to be an ongoing conversation with councils along the river to see how we can improve confidence to ensure the river is a great place for families to enjoy into the future."
Mr Punch said the government would cover the initial cost of the barrier, which comes with an expected price tag of between $200,000 and $400,000.
"The state will meet the capital cost ... and the local government meets the operational costs and maintenance costs into the future," he said.
It is understood the same funding arrangement has been offered to the Fremantle, East Fremantle, Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove, Claremont and Nedlands councils.
Stella Berry, 16, was killed by a shark after jumping into the water at North Fremantle to swim with dolphins last Saturday.
It was the first fatal attack in the Swan River in 100 years and came two years after Cameron Wrathall was severely injured by a bull shark while swimming nearby at Blackwall Reach in January 2021.
The attack prompted the City of Melville to start looking into the potential for a barrier at Bicton Baths, and the government has now offered its support in the wake of Ms Berry's death.
Bicton MP Lisa O'Malley said Mr Wrathall had played "a really important role" in advocating for the enclosure to protect the local community.
Shark attack survivor supports move
Mr Wrathall said existing infrastructure at Bicton Baths could help anchor and support the enclosure.
"It's already used as a swimming space for vacation swim lessons and local schools and the local community, and there's some lovely parkland in that area," he said.
"They're also upgrading toilet facilities, paths and parking in that area so it is a great opportunity to add a further upgrade and provide a safe swimming space for families.
"None of us want to see another child die."
Mr Wrathall supported moves by other councils to install barriers at other locations, suggesting East Fremantle could be another good spot.
"I think there's definitely demand for multiple swimming areas," he said.
Mr Wrathall suffered significant nerve and tissue damage when he was attacked, and cannot walk unassisted.
"But I am going well and I am meeting those challenges, and I'm grateful I'm alive and thankful for the care I received in hospital," he said.
Mr Wrathall hopes environmental considerations will be a top priority when designing the new enclosure to prevent marine life becoming entangled.
Shark enclosures have already been rolled out at Cottesloe, where a net is erected during the summer months, and at Coogee, where there is a permanent installation.
Mr Punch said decisions around how many and what kinds of barriers would be installed would be made following consultation with local councils.
"That is something that will come out of those conversations but we have taken the initiative of writing to local governments and inviting them to join with us in that conversation," he said.
There have been multiple bull shark sightings in the Swan River in recent weeks.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) fisheries officers conducted water-based patrols over the weekend, and Mr Punch said they would continue.
"I've asked DPIRD to maintain those patrols, particularly in terms of people's anxiety about the river," he said.
"And I've asked them to continue those until further notice."