Construction is now underway to establish a protected swimming area at Bathers Beach in the heart of Fremantle, with crews beginning to install a specialised shark barrier offshore.
A Long-Awaited Safety Measure
The project involves deploying a semi-rigid barrier that will stretch approximately 340 metres between the existing breakwaters, positioned roughly 125 metres from the shore. This infrastructure is designed to create an enclosed zone for swimming and snorkelling covering about 60,000 square metres.
Public demand for a dedicated safe swimming space in Fremantle intensified following two tragic shark incidents in recent years: the fatal attack on teenager Stella Berry in the Swan River at North Fremantle in 2023, and the death of Paul Millachip at Port Beach in 2021.
Installation Details and Design
All components, including the anchor points, mesh panels, and floating buoys, are being placed from vessels to minimise disruption to the popular beachfront. The installation phase is projected to take two to three weeks, with completion targeted for the end of December. After necessary safety inspections, the enclosure will open for public use.
The barrier itself is constructed from a braided mesh with an internal stainless steel core, a design specifically intended to prevent entangling or injuring marine life such as dolphins and turtles. It has been developed by the O'Connor-based company Safer Swimming Australia and is being installed by Franmarine Underwater Services from Henderson.
The barrier will remain in the water until April, after which it will be removed and stored for the cooler months.
Funding and Government Support
The total contract value awarded to Franmarine for installation and management over the next five years is $1.48 million. Maintenance costs will be covered by the City of Fremantle.
The State Government, as part of its comprehensive shark hazard mitigation strategy, has contributed $500,000 to the project. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis stated this is the ninth beach enclosure funded by the state, joining others at locations like Quinns Beach, Sorrento, Busselton, and Esperance.
"It is fantastic to see the new Bathers Beach enclosure going in," Minister Jarvis said. "This will provide another safe swimming and snorkelling area for the community ahead of the summer holidays."
Overcoming Delays and Heritage Considerations
The project, originally slated for last summer, faced delays due to a complex approval process involving multiple authorities. These included the Department of Transport, Fremantle Ports, the Heritage Council of WA, and the Heritage Minister.
A key consideration was the proximity to the heritage-listed remnants of the Long Jetty. An underwater heritage assessment conducted in September necessitated some design adjustments before final state government approvals were granted.
Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk emphasised the value of the enclosure, noting it will make the beach safer for locals and tourists alike without harming marine life, unlike traditional nets.
Authorities are reminding swimmers to continue checking the SharkSmart WA app for the latest safety information before entering the water, even within the new protected area.
