THE NSW South Coast’s first offshore artificial reef is one step closer to becoming a reality, with NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, and Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock, today announcing the successful tenderer.
Ms Hodgkinson said now that the contract to build the reef has been awarded, the offshore artificial reef is on track to be deployed before Christmas.
“The winning bid included an innovative design for a steel-reinforced concrete artificial reef module standing five metres high and weighing more than 25 tonnes,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“Twenty of these massive modules will be deployed to create a reef that will be more than double the volume of the State’s first offshore artificial reef, deployed off the coast of Sydney in 2011.
“The successful tenderer is an Australian company with extensive experience in the offshore marine construction industry world-wide.”
NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, and Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, inspect the site of the new South Coast offshore artificial reef.
Mr Ward said the fabrication of the reef modules will take place on the South Coast, which is good news for the local economy.
“The production of the reef modules is expected to begin in September at Port Kembla and will then be transported to the deployment site in Shoalhaven Bight,” Mr Ward said.
“Recreational fishing is already a major contributor to the local economy of the South Coast, supporting about 1800 fulltime jobs and generating $395 million in economic output.
“The South Coast offshore artificial reef will provide another major drawcard to attract recreational fishers to the South Coast and keep them coming back.”
Member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock, said the reef will cost about $950,000 and is expected to create a new, high-quality fish habitat for a range of fish species and other marine life.
“This artificial reef will provide fishing location for boat fishers looking to snag larger target species including snapper and kingfish,” Mrs Hancock said.
“This will be a positive addition to our local waters and is another exciting example of how funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts are being invested back into projects and initiatives which directly benefit recreational anglers.”
The successful tenderer is Australian company, Subcon Technologies Pty Ltd.
