News & Alerts

The installation of a beach enclosure at Bicton Baths is complete and following safety checks will soon be open to the public, providing a protected swimming area in the Swan River for Western Australian families to enjoy this summer.

The Cook Government committed up to $300,000 to the City of Melville for the beach enclosure as part of the State's shark hazard mitigation measures.

Local Bibra Lake business Global Marine Enclosures was awarded the tender to design, construct and install the beach enclosure in September.

The enclosure is being attached to the existing jetty at Bicton Baths and will be about 50 metres long and 50 metres wide and will be open by the end of the month.

Beach enclosures offer a protected swimming area with a physical barrier to reduce the risk of a shark encounter and, unlike nets, will not trap marine life.

Other measures for the Swan Canning Estuary include the installation of three acoustic shark monitoring receivers which connect to the existing Shark Monitoring Network.

The receivers are set to go at East Fremantle, Blackwall Reach and near Canning Bridge and will provide near real-time notifications of tagged shark activity to the community via the SharkSmart WA app and SharkSmart website.

A Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) sign has also been installed at Bicton Baths to support first responders in case of a beach emergency.

More information on the Bicton Baths beach enclosure project is available from melvillecity.com.au/our-city/about-our-city/projects-and-works/bicton-baths-swimming-enclosure

Beach, estuary and river users are encouraged to download the SharkSmart WA app to stay informed. It is also very important for anyone who sees a shark to report it to Water Police immediately on 9442 8600. 

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"For almost a century, the Bicton Baths has been a popular spot for local bathers.

"This new enclosure will see the baths returned to their former glory, while ensuring Western Australian families can confidently enjoy swimming in our beautiful Swan River this summer.

"The barrier is the first of its kind to be installed in the Swan River and is part of a suite of mitigation measures in place to reduce the risk of shark encounters.

"I'd like to congratulate the City of Melville on the work they have done to get the enclosure in place so quickly."

Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Don Punch:

"Today is an exciting day for the Bicton community with the installation of the new beach enclosure complete.

"This is the seventh enclosure funded by the State Government and the first installed in the Swan River.

"We are also working closely with the Department of Biodiversity, Conversation and Attractions and Department of Transport to install three shark monitoring receivers at key locations in the river.

"I encourage all beach and river users to download the SharkSmart WA app to keep up-to-date with the latest alerts and information on shark activity."

Comments attributed to Bicton MLA Lisa O'Malley:

"I know for many throughout our community that the Swan River is a big part of our lives, that's why it's fantastic to see the Bicton Baths beach enclosure complete and providing peace of mind to local swimmers and river users.

"Thank you to the Cook Government for investing $300,000 to construct this enclosure as part of its shark mitigation strategy, to ensure our community is safe and confident when enjoying the scenic Swan River all year round.

"I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank local Safer Swimming in the Swan campaigner Cameron Wrathall, for his tireless advocacy in making this project a reality."