New South Wales is fast-tracking the rollout of shark nets on its far-north coast.

Legislation is being introduced to push ahead a six-month meshing trial, after the Opposition indicated it would give in-principle support.

It means nets will be installed at Lighthouse, Sharpes and Shelly beaches at Ballina, Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head and the Evans Head main beach, which were the chosen sites after a community consultation process earlier this year.

“The number and the location was certainly something that has been shaped by the community feedback from the north coast,” New South Wales Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said.

“We've landed on five, that's what we'll start with, and they're definitely going into areas where the community has said they want them.”

Ballina councillor and Australian Seabird Rescue volunteer Keith Williams told the ABC that the nets will kill sharks but not save swimmers.

“Five nets in 50 kilometres, it's a way to make people feel that something is being done rather than actually keeping people safe,” he said.

“One net on Seven Mile Beach is going to do nothing to keep people safe.

“We are going to need people on the headlands, on the beaches, keeping an eye out.”

Richmond Valley Council general manager Vaughan Macdonald, says the community is keen to see a proposed netting trial at Evans Head as well.

“Yes it's a trial, yes we're not all convinced that nets are the best thing, but let's get them in place and see if we can reduce the risk so that we can continue to swim at main beach,” he said.