The Marshall Government is delivering a win-win solution for the community with the top section of the stranded wave generator at Carrickalinga to be removed and sunk, creating a new artificial reef.
The partial removal will be carried out in two stages, with works expected to begin in early 2020 and full completion anticipated by mid-2020.
“This is a real win-win for the community as we remove the eyesore down at Carrickalinga and also create a new artificial reef,” said Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll.
“The new artificial reef will attract marine life to the area, similar to what has occurred with the existing structure.
“This means recreational fishers and families can enjoy the benefits of the new artificial reef from fishing through to activities like snorkelling.
“The local community and boat users have had to put up with this eyesore and hazard for over five years now and I’m sure they will be delighted with the win-win solution.
“This means that the remaining structure will be under approximately one metre of water at low tide addressing the local community’s concerns by removing the eyesore.”
The first stage of works will involve removing all the steelwork from the top section of the structure, which can be seen above the water’s surface, and unbolting it from the main structure, which is underwater. The removed steelwork will be disposed of on land.
The second stage will involve pulling off the upper section (made mainly out of concrete) and sinking it onto the seabed next to the main structure.
Aside from the environmental benefits around creating a new artificial reef, this was also the most cost-effective solution as the cost to remove the entire structure and dispose of all the materials on-land was in excess of $8 million.
The environmental impacts of this option are considered to be minimal in the short term, while in the long term the section to be sunk will create an additional artificial reef.
The site will be marked with a lit navigation beacon and a sign advising of a 100-metre exclusion zone, warning any marine vessels of the presence of the wave generator under the surface.
