With warmer weather on the way, many Eastern Suburbs families will soon be spending a lot more time at the beach.
And while we’re lucky to have some of Sydney’s best beaches on our doorstep, knowing a little more about ocean safety and how our coastline is monitored can help everyone head into summer feeling more confident.
Randwick City Council and the NSW Government are holding a free community information session on Thursday 10 September, giving local residents and beachgoers an opportunity to learn about shark safety, beach surveillance and some of the technology being used along the NSW coastline.
Learn How Our Beaches Are Monitored
The session will bring together people who work directly in beach and ocean safety, including experts from the NSW Government SharkSmart team, Surf Life Saving NSW and Randwick City Council Lifeguards.
Rather than being a session designed to make people worried about swimming, it’s an opportunity to better understand what’s happening behind the scenes to help keep our beaches safe.
Topics will include beach surveillance, shark mitigation measures and the latest shark safety initiatives.
Find Out About Drones and New Technology
Beach safety has changed considerably as new technology has become available.
During the evening, experts will explain some of the tools and systems now being used, including drones and other shark surveillance technology.
For anyone who has spotted a drone operating above a local beach and wondered exactly what it’s doing, this is a good opportunity to find out.
You’ll also hear about the different shark mitigation measures operating along the coastline and how authorities use information and technology to manage beach safety.
What Does It Mean to Be SharkSmart?
The evening will also provide practical information about being SharkSmart.
For local families, that’s useful knowledge to have without becoming overly concerned about sharks every time you head into the water.
It’s similar to understanding rips, swimming between the flags, checking beach conditions and listening to lifeguards – being informed is simply another part of enjoying the ocean safely.
And if your family spends much of summer swimming, surfing or enjoying beaches around Maroubra, Coogee, Clovelly and the wider Randwick City coastline, it’s particularly relevant.
A Chance to Hear Directly From the Experts
There’s a lot of information – and sometimes misinformation – about sharks, particularly on social media.
One of the benefits of this session is the opportunity to hear directly from the people involved in shark monitoring, surf lifesaving and managing our local beaches.
It’s a chance to better understand how decisions are made, what technology is being used and what beachgoers themselves can do.
Sharks, Summer and Staying Safe – Event Details
When: Thursday 10 September 2026
Time: 6pm–7:30pm
Where: Randwick Town Hall
Address: 90 Avoca Street, Randwick
Cost: Free
Bookings: Registration is required via Humanitix
The session is presented by Randwick City Council and the NSW Government, with experts from SharkSmart, Surf Life Saving NSW and Randwick City Council Lifeguards.
ESM Tip: Make Beach Safety Part of the Summer Conversation
For families growing up around the Eastern Suburbs, the ocean is often simply part of life.
Rather than making kids nervous about what’s in the water, we can help them develop a healthy respect for the ocean and teach them good habits from an early age.
That includes swimming at patrolled beaches, staying between the flags, following lifeguard instructions, checking conditions and understanding basic ocean safety.
Learning a little more about sharks can be approached in exactly the same way.
So before another Eastern Suburbs summer of beach days, swimming and surfing begins, this free information evening is a good opportunity to get informed, ask questions and discover some of the impressive work and technology helping to keep our coastline safe.
Then it’s back to what summer should really be about – enjoying our beautiful local beaches.
