The move not to “opt-in” to new state government laws – which demand rock fishers wear lifejackets at high-risk coastal locations – comes amid concern over cost and a lack of adequate resources.

A report to Tuesday night’s meeting reveals the council would need to employ an additional regulation officer, at an estimated cost of about $100,000 per year, to specifically monitor and issue fines.  

The council’s group manager of city development, Grant Meredith, said if the current number of rangers were to regularly patrol fishing areas, they would have to be diverted from elsewhere.

The council has identified six high-risk locations; Windang Island, North Bushrangers Bay (Bass Point), The Chair (Bass Pt), South Pioneer Quarry (Bass Pt) and Killalea Recreation Area (North and South).

The new laws also require people assisting rock fishers to wear a lifejacket.

Read more: Mayors spooked by cost of rock fishing lifejacket laws

Patrols would need to be undertaken by no less than two rangers, the report said, and monitoring the areas would take about 3-5 hours per day, per ranger, depending on number of fishers without a lifejacket. 

Rangers’ exposure to a number of hazards meant they would have to be equipped with their own lifejacket, appropriate footwear and a waterproof mobile phone, it said.

The move to “opt-out” comes after councillors voted in May for a staff report on the costs.

The report explored three options – opt-in with regular and timed surveillance (estimated annual cost: $200,880); opt-in with no change to surveillance and an educational campaign ($20,000); or the status quo with information online (no extra cost).

The latter option has been recommended for approval.

“Opting out does not mean that Council will not continue to encourage rock fishers to wear lifejackets, it will just mean that regulation officers will not issue fines,” the report said. 

The new laws permit officers from the police, Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries, National Parks and Wildlife Service and council to enforce the lifejacket requirements.

“The other departments can still issue penalties for non-adherence to the mandatory wearing of lifejackets for rock fishers, the report said.

Wollongong City Council, Kiama Municipal Council and Shoalhaven City Council have all chosen not to opt-in to the laws, according to the Shellharbour council report.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant announced in April that councils could choose whether they wanted to enforce the lifejacket laws. Councils that opt-in are eligible to receive up to $30,000 to help with the changes.