A Shark Barrier Will Be Installed At Bicton Baths By Next Summer

The State Government has partnered with the City of Melville to install a shark barrier at popular Swan River swimming location Bicton Baths.

The move follows the fatal shark attack on 16 year old Stella Berry at North Fremantle last weekend.

While it was the first fatal shark attack in the Swan River in a century, Cameron Wrathall was attacked by a bull shark at Blackwall Reach in 2021 – and he has thrown his support behind the installation of barriers in the river.

The Baths are used extensively by the local community, including by local schools and for VacSwim classes, and are currently in the midst of an existing revitalisation program to upgrade change rooms, footpaths and more.

The state government will fund the installation of the barriers, which is expected to cost between $200,000 and $400,000, with the local government taking over future operational and maintenance costs.

The installation is scheduled to be complete in time for next summer’s swimming season, with Fisheries Minister Don Punch also approaching six other councils with similar funding offers – including Fremantle, East Fremantle, Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove, Claremont and Nedlands.

Shark barriers are currently in use seasonally at Cottesloe Beach and permanently at Coogee.