Overview
- The state announced the expanded program on June 27–28 and will begin daily dawn‑to‑dusk drone patrols from July 1 covering roughly 70 beaches, including all 38 Sydney ocean beaches year‑round.
- The government added A$34 million to bring two‑year shark mitigation funding to about A$120 million and assigned Surf Life Saving NSW to run the enlarged drone operation.
- At least two artificial intelligence systems will be trialled over the summer to automate shark detection and officials will seek Civil Aviation Safety Authority approvals for more autonomous drone flights.
- Existing measures will continue alongside drones: shark nets will be reinstalled in September, two listening stations will be placed in Sydney Harbour to pick up tagged sharks, and SMART drumlines remain in use.
- Officials reaffirmed that protected great white sharks will not be culled while saying an audit of bull sharks in Sydney Harbour is being considered; the move aims to reduce risk and restore public confidence after the June 13 Coogee attack on Leah Stewart, who is now out of critical care and has raised more than A$500,000 in public donations.