A northern NSW mayor is calling for year-round drone surveillance, following a recent near-miss incident with a shark.

Ross was physically unharmed but the shark took a huge bite out of his surfboard.

Currently, drone surveillance is funded to operate during peak swimming seasons, which include school holidays, or on an “as needed” basis, in collaboration with Surf Life Saving NSW.

Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry believes year-round surveillance would make locals and visitors feel safer.

“While we acknowledge the inherent risks associated with swimming and surfing in the ocean, if there are measures we can implement to enhance safety, it is logical for us to pursue these measures, especially at busy beaches such as Cabarita Beach and Kingscliff,” Cherry stated.

She has previously called for additional drone surveillance hours at other beaches in the shire, including Pottsville and Black Rocks.

Since last week’s attack at Cabarita Beach, two extra SMART drumlines have been installed, in addition to the five already in place there.

There are a total of 15 drumlines in the area and 305 across the NSW coast as part of the NSW government’s 2024–25 Shark Management Program.