The Western Australian Government and the City of Albany have committed to jointly fund a replacement beach enclosure at the city's Ellen Cove.
The Ellen Cove beach enclosure was installed in March 2016 as part of the three-year trial by the City of Albany - which took on responsibility for its maintenance.
However, as of last year, the barrier, part of the Western Australian Government's suite of shark hazard mitigation measures, had degraded to such an extent that it needs replacement.
Intended to replace the current enclosure at the southern end of Albany's Middleton beach - giving swimmers peace of mind and encouraging tourism - the Western Australia Government will provide funding on a dollar for dollar basis with the City of Albany up to a total of $200,000 for the new barrier.
Commenting on the funding, Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan stated "Middleton Beach is one of Albany's greatest tourist attractions and the enclosure at Ellen Cove has provided beach users and bathers with an additional sense of safety and security since it was first installed in 2016."
"The funding to help install a new enclosure will create up to four local jobs during the construction and installation phase and support two full-time jobs for the ongoing maintenance of the facility."
The enclosure was installed eight years after schoolteacher Jason Cull was mauled by a 4 metre white pointer in Ellen Cove.
Speaking in 2018, Joanne Lucas, who pulled Cull from the water after the attack, told the Albany Advertiser that the barrier had returned a sense of safety to the beach.
She advised "since the shark net (was installed), people have come back in droves."
However, in late 2018, two sharks were found inside the swimming enclosure.
The barrier was installed by Global Swimming Enclosures.
Ellen Cove enclosure images courtesy of Global Swimming Enclosures.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-owner / Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-owner and publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
As of 2020, he has launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
Related Articles
27th April 2020 - Western Australia’s shark SMART drumline trial to be extended
20th April 2020 - New facility in Margaret River to become training hub for Surf Life Saving WA
9th March 2020 - Royal Life Saving WA releases REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan
13th December 2019 - Tender awarded for Albany artificial surf reef design
12th December 2019 - Conservation groups call for action on Australia’s endangered sharks
3rd December 2019 - Prime Minister Morrison backs beach safety at start of summer
28th October 2019 - Western Australian Government launches Shark Smart WA app
29th August 2019 - Albany now home to ‘the best sporting precinct anywhere in regional WA’
26th July 2019 - New Albany youth precinct to be funded by $950,000 Lotterywest grant
29th April 2019 - Surf Life Saving Australia shares beach safety challenges
26th February 2019 - Margaret River Pro to remain on World Surf League schedule despite shark fears
11th December 2018 - Shark receivers to be installed at Western Australian beaches
10th December 2018 - Lotterywest provides $700,000 to Surf Life Saving WA to support nippers program
8th May 2018 - Calls for Western Australian Government to introduce ‘serious threat’ shark policy
29th October 2017 - Albany attractions popular with visitors to Western Australia
2nd February 2017 - New anti-shark enclosure opens at Western Australia’s Quinns Beach
1st December 2014 - Surf Life Saving WA says beach drowning numbers unacceptable
26th November 2013 - Albany Stadium Pool design team announced
23rd November 2012 - ASR liquidation cast doubts over future of artificial surf reefs
14th July 2011 - $42 million Albany Waterfront project opens
Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.
However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.
Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.
Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.
Click here to subscribe.
