Swimmers and surfers at Evans Head and Yamba are getting extra protection this summer, with drone operators now providing expanded shark surveillance as part of the NSW Government’s $120 million Shark Management Program.
State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson recently visited Main Beach at Evans Head to see the drone operation in action and meet local drone operator Ashley Slapp.
“It was great to meet Ashley and see firsthand how these drones are being used to help keep people safer in the water,” Mr Williamson said.
“Our beaches are incredibly important to our communities. They are places where families swim, people surf and visitors come to enjoy our beautiful coastline.
“While no program can completely eliminate the risk of a shark interaction, having trained operators with eyes in the sky provides an important additional layer of protection.”
From 1 July 2026, 72 ocean beaches across NSW have been benefiting from drone monitoring 365 days a year, with at least one beach in every coastal local government area receiving coverage. Regional operations include weekend flights throughout the year, daily flights from 1 December to 30 April, and extended hours covering dawn to dusk.
Main Beach at Evans Head in the Richmond Valley and Main Beach at Yamba in the Clarence Valley are among the local beaches benefiting from the expanded surveillance.
“This is a significant investment in beach safety and I’m particularly pleased to see both the Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley benefiting from it,” Mr Williamson said.
“Drone surveillance allows operators to monitor large areas of water from above and identify sharks and other hazards that may not be visible from the beach.
“I thank Ashley and all the drone operators and lifesavers who are doing this important work to help keep our communities safe.”
The expanded drone program forms part of the broader NSW Shark Management Program, which also includes SMART drumlines, tagged shark listening stations, community education and ongoing research into shark behaviour and new mitigation technologies.
“We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country right here in the Clarence and Richmond valleys,” Mr Williamson said.
“We want people to enjoy them, while doing everything we reasonably can to keep them safe.”
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