THREE-MONTH TRIAL OF ALTERNATE SHARK MITIGATION MEASURES DURING SOUTHERN WHALE MIGRATION · Attachment 1 - 2026-01-22 Notice of Motion - Cr Lorentson - 3 mth Trial of Alternate Shark Mitigation Measures During Southern Whale Migration

v9 NOOSA @®& Council NOTICE OF MOTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR: Cr Amelia Lorentson COUNCIL MEETING: Ordinary Meeting, 22 January 2026 | hereby notify of my intention to move the following motion at the Ordinary Meeting dated Thursday, 22 January 2026: THREE-MONTH TRIAL OF ALTERNATE SHARK MITIGATION MEASURES DURING SOUTHERN WHALE MIGRATION That Council write to the Minister for the Environment and Tourism requesting that, during the 2026 whale migration period, the Queensland Government consider a three-month trial replacing traditional shark nets with smart drumlines or other contemporary, non-lethal mitigation technologies that allow for the safe passage of migrating whales, with Noosa Main Beach proposed as the trial location. This trial should apply specifically to the southern migration period when whales, including vulnerable calves, are travelling south and when the majority of entanglements are known to occur. Ao blr [2v2b Councillor Amelia Lorentson Date COUNCILLOR COMMENT The annual whale migration is a significant natural event for our region, both environmentally and culturally. Traditional shark nets present a known entanglement risk to whales, particularly during the southern migration when mothers and calves are travelling south and spend more time closer to shore. Entanglements cause significant stress and distress to the animals and can result in serious injury or death. These incidents are traumatic not only for the whales but also for the community members and responders who witness or are involved in rescue efforts. It is also important to recognise that whales in distress due to entanglement can attract sharks to the area, which may paradoxically increase, rather than reduce, risk to beachgoers. This raises legitimate questions about the effectiveness of static nets as a safety measure during peak whale movement periods. Council acknowledges and respects the State’s strong emphasis on protecting beach users and maintaining public safety. This motion does not seek to weaken those protections, but rather to encourage the use of modern, evidence-based approaches that better balance human safety with animal welfare and environmental responsibility. Smart drumlines and other contemporary technologies are more targeted, enable rapid response and monitoring, and significantly reduce bycatch and harm to non-target species. In 2025, a Mayoral Minute was brought forward requesting that the Minister consider a trial of alternative shark mitigation measures, with Noosa nominated as a suitable trial location. The Minister subsequently advised that there would be no change to the existing program at that time. Since that correspondence, there has been further consultation and discussion across local government, including through the Local Government Association of Queensland, where a majority of councils have supported the investigation and use of alternative, non-lethal mitigation measures. This motion reflects that evolving position and renewed support for a carefully scoped, time-limited trial.