Surf Life Saving NSW’s world-leading drone surveillance program will expand and improve as part of a funding package worth $4.2 million from the NSW Government to help keep people safe at the beach.
The Shark Management Program, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and delivered by the Australian UAV Service (AUAVS) – a service arm of SLSNSW – will grow from 50 patrolled locations to 80 under the proposed scope of funding, with 19 new locations across Sydney and 11 regional beaches among those set to benefit from eyes in the sky.
Under the existing program, drone surveillance at the 50 DPIRD Shark Management Program locations would transition from daily to weekend-only patrols at the end of January until the end of March.
However, thanks to the new funding, drone patrols will continue daily at all 80 new and existing locations until the end of the April school holidays.
It comes after an unprecedented number of shark incidents just before the Australia Day long weekend in January.
“This new package represents a 90% increase on our current shark surveillance drone program – a significant enhancement that will see more drones flying at popular beaches along our coast, representing an additional 35,000 flying hours from 24 January to 26 April,” SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
“We know our SLS drones are an effective eye in the sky when it comes to early shark detection and warning beach users.”
The AUAVS drone program began nearly a decade ago in 2017, initially delivered at eight locations with 40 pilots contracted. Fast forward to now, as the new locations and patrol stipulations roll out, there are over 300 pilots servicing 80 locations across NSW.
New locations include Dixon Park, which will cover Merewether and Bar Beach on the popular Newcastle stretch, Killcare on the Central Coast, Elouera in the Bate Bay, and North Steyne – the most recent site of a shark incident in Manly.
“So far in 2025/26, 50 Surf Life Saving NSW drones from Tweed to Bega have completed 29,431 flights over 8044 flying hours. During that time 465 sharks were sighted,” Steve continued.
“Our lifeguards and lifesavers enacted 170 countermeasures including beach evacuations, beach siren, drone siren, and rescue vessels.”
“This funding will help expand drone surveillance, improve education and ensure timely warnings, so swimmers and surfers can make informed decisions about when to enter the water,” added Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty.
Monday 26 January 2026