Local resident Bruce Cheeseman in the water at Sorrento Beach where he noticed a gap at the end of the shark barrier while swimming.
Camera IconLocal resident Bruce Cheeseman in the water at Sorrento Beach where he noticed a gap at the end of the shark barrier while swimming. Credit: Supplied/Marie Nirme d478005

Modification needed near Hillarys sea wall for Sorrento beach enclosure

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

THE Sorrento beach enclosure will be modified to close a space near the Hillarys sea wall.

City of Joondalup chief executive Garry Hunt said Eco Shark Barrier did weekly underwater inspections of the structure.

“No gaps in the barrier are evident or have ever been found in the structure since it was installed in late 2016,” he said.

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“A minor modification, however, is required connecting the barrier to the sea wall due to a small space between the two at high tide.

“The beach enclosure has been performing as expected and continues to offer beach users a safer swimming experience.”

Bruce Cheeseman regularly swims at Sorrento and last week noticed the barrier had become detached from the sea wall at the northern end.

“It’s never been properly secured to the rocks,” he said.

Mr Cheeseman said there was a 2m gap that might be big enough for a shark to swim through “if any big white wanted to get through”.

“At the moment it is not shark-proof,” he said.

Mr Hunt said people could provide feedback about the beach enclosure by calling 9400 4255 or emailing info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.

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