Consultation between the state government and coastal councils has been under way, with many local governments calling for the nets to be permanently replaced with proven non-lethal shark management alternatives.
Premier Chris Minns said a final decision had not been reached about whether nets would remain in future, but he was not yet confident emerging shark protection technology was a good enough replacement.
"It's a good ambition to remove shark nets in Sydney, but we've got a ways to go when it comes to that shark detection technology," he told reporters on Monday.
"I don't think that work will be done in enough time this summer, particularly when you consider the nets need to be rolled out in September."
Environmental groups are concerned about the impact nets have on marine wildlife.
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the change in state government had given people hope leaders would listen to advice to remove inhumane and ineffective shark nets.
"We know shark nets don't provide any meaningful protection against attacks, yet for eight months each year our beaches become death traps for sharks and countless other marine animals including threatened species like turtles," she said.
"Shark nets were first used at beaches more than 85 years ago. Now we know better and we have more effective and humane ways of keeping beachgoers safer in the water.
"It's time we left shark nets in the past where they belong."
Mr Minns acknowledged shark nets had a negative impact on other sea creatures, but said Sydneysiders should expect them to remain for the time being.
"I don't think anyone's seriously suggesting we don't replace (the nets) with emerging technology, particularly as that gets better and better when it comes to shark detection," he said.
Sea Shepherd threatened species campaigner Lauren Sandeman said the decision was "open season" on other animals caught in the nets, such as dolphins and turtles.
"The two scientific committees that oversee the use of shark nets in NSW have called for these destructive and ineffective nets to be replaced with the technology currently available," she said.
"If the Minns government is ignoring these calls, it is an unbelievable act of ignorance and political cowardice."
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