The City of Joondalup is being urged to reconsider shark protection measures at Sorrento Beach following a fatal shark attack in September 2026 that claimed the life of 63-year-old Greg O'Neill.

Two separate motions concerning beach safety and shark mitigation are scheduled to be considered by the council on 27 October.

South-West Ward councillor Phillip Vinciullo has requested an investigation into whether a modern, non-lethal shark barrier could be installed at Sorrento Beach, including an assessment of developments in shark enclosure technology.

The proposal comes as the City continues planning the redevelopment of the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club and surrounding foreshore.

The redevelopment was returned for further consideration in August 2026 after construction tender estimates exceeded the anticipated budget by several million dollars.

Vinciullo argued that the redevelopment provided an opportunity to reconsider shark protection measures and investigate potential funding partnerships with the State Government and other organisations.

Sorrento Beach previously had an Eco Shark Barrier installed in 2016, but the enclosure experienced repeated structural problems.

By 2018, sections of the barrier were washing ashore during storms, while dolphins had also been observed swimming inside the enclosure.

The barrier was permanently removed in 2020 after an independent assessment identified significant structural damage and defects.

In November 2021, Joondalup council voted against replacing the enclosure but agreed to continue investigating commercially available and reliable alternatives.

However, no replacement had been installed by October 2026, leaving the City's approximately 17 kilometres of coastline without a shark barrier.

Vinciullo said his motion was intended to provide councillors with updated information rather than assume that a new enclosure would necessarily be the most appropriate solution.

His proposal also calls for consultation with the State Government and Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club.

Joondalup mayor Daniel Kingston has separately proposed reaffirming the council's 2021 commitment to investigating shark safety measures.

Kingston's motion also seeks renewed State Government involvement in determining how shark mitigation measures should be delivered and funded.

He acknowledged community concerns following the fatal attack but said any long-term response needed to be practical, effective and supported by clearly defined government responsibilities.

Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club president Rob Doherty indicated that the club was willing to participate in discussions about improved ocean safety, including measures beyond physical shark barriers.

Both motions were discussed during the council's agenda briefing on 13 October 2026, with a final decision expected at the ordinary council meeting on 27 October.

As of 15 October 2026, no new shark enclosure had been approved or funded for Sorrento Beach.