Overview
- Waverley Council lifeguards closed Bondi and neighbouring beaches for a third consecutive day after a white shark was sighted offshore and the state’s SharkSmart app warned swimmers to stay out of the water.
- Independent drone operators posted 4K footage that identified a great white metres off Bondi’s shore and helped trigger real-time beach closures by lifeguards.
- The spike in sightings follows the June 13 attack at Coogee in which 35-year-old Leah Stewart suffered catastrophic injuries; she remains in critical care and a family GoFundMe has raised substantial support.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns rejected calls for a state summit but said the government will soon announce practical steps that include expanded drone patrols, trial nets and new funding options while noting technical and coverage limits.
- Lifeguards and Surf Lifesaving NSW are increasing patrols with jetskis and drones, and officials are weighing use of the $1.1 billion budget contingency for mitigation while planning careful roll-out and partnerships.