Most Illawarra swimmers feel more secure when they see the Australian Aerial Patrol's fixed wing aircraft flying above the beaches, keeping a lookout for sharks and giving warning of their presence.
Not only is this information immediately available to the public and life savers, but the aircraft can sound a siren to warn swimmers to leave the water if a shark is heading in their direction.
The state government is clearly not interested in this service, but public pressure has forced them to provide a " Clayton's shark patrol " - the shark patrol you have when you are not having a shark patrol.
The government has reluctantly ordered a helicopter to do a beach sweep, but has restricted this to weekends and public holidays - and only for the period starting December 19 and ending on January 10.
Clearly this is a sop to head off criticism and give the impression of interest. To add insult to injury, the helicopter service has been gagged - and will only supply information to lifesavers. The public will not be warned, hence those using beaches unpatrolled by lifesavers will be - on their own !
Fortunately the Bendigo bank has stepped in with a donation of $ 210,000 over three years to keep that important fixed wing aircraft in the air, providing coverage - and direct reporting - right through the swimming season.
In the long run, the government could have had a better service for less money had they stuck with the Australian Aerial Patrol - but that was not the choice of the Mandarins who make decisions on our behalf !
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