Tasmanian Pipe Dream

In an article in The (Hobart) Mercury Park Beach surfer Mr Hollmer-Cross has called for more research to be undertaken.
themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/surfing-family-has-a-beef-with-reef

“There has been no hydrological or environmental assessments on why that spot has been selected as the optimum spot in Tasmania,” he said.
“The surf is really functional as it is, it always has been. For recreational and learner surfers it’s actually ideal.”

That is one of the rules of building artificial surf reefs:
Put them somewhere that no one surfs – there are miles of coastline that fulfill that requirement.

Shane Abel has spent the past three years working on a proposal for an artificial reef at Park Beach, south-east of Hobart.
Mr Abel has done extensive research on attempts to create artificial surf reefs around the world.

Read about how he intends to construct the “reef” in this article by ABC:
abc.net.au/news/2017-07-12/artificial-surf-reef-proposed-for-tasmania/8698874

plan

Shane Abel on Facebook:
facebook.com/pg/canopy01

Editied from the Facebook page:
The reef is constructed from HDPE, the same material used in fish farm cages. The reef is supported on timber piles and is above the ocean floor and not interfering with the littoral drift or sealife that live in the sea beds.
The Wavebuster HDPE reef surface can be designed to match any world class reef within 20mm. The reef slope can be set at any angle to incoming swell with 45 degrees being the middle ground with increased angle producing faster waves and decreased angles producing slower waves.
Construction of the reef is simple with the piles driven from a barge and the reef fabricated onshore then floated out and sunk into position.
Unlike rock or sandbags the Wavebuster reef can be removed easily if there any issues.

Pushing the sand around to save Palm Beach

Gold Coast City Council (in Queensland, Australia) have a Surf Management Plan that includes:

  • strategies to maximise enjoyment and minimise conflict between beach user groups (e.g. seasonal adjustments to flagged swimming and board riders zones)
  • new coastal capital works projects will give consideration to both coastal protection and where possible, enhancement of surf amenity.

 

Details
goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/surf-management-plan-23579.html

They announced in June 2016 that $4.5 million has been set aside to start the Palm Beach Shoreline Project and build an artificial reef about 400 metres off Palm Beach. It is expected to take four years.

brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/palm-beach-gets-artificial-reef

gcoast

See also the previous story (July 2015):
brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/gold-coast-beach-erosion-plan

Note that Australian Coastal Walls are selling the ACW Geo-Block beach protection system. More about that on their web page.
australiancoastalwalls.com.au

For a longer term view of Gold Coast coastal management:
goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/coastal-management-3246.html

 

Taree starts the process

Here is a Google search for “Taree Council’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan”
Searched 12 June 2012.
Search it again and see what progress has been made.
  1. [PDF] Report – ANZ offices – Greater Taree City Council
    http://www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/…Planning/GTCC_Emergency_Action_Plan_…
    File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat – View as HTML
    Copying this report without the permission of Greater Taree City Council or WorleyParsons is not permitted. …. Taree Coastal Zone Management Plan.

  2. Wild weather prompts call for Old Bar protection – ABC News 


    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-06/wild-weather…/4054952
    6 days ago – Taree Council’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan is expected to be on exhibition by the end of the month. Local resident Elaine Pearce …
  3.  No compensation under Taree erosion retreat plan – ABC News 

    www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-10/
    taree-erosion-plan/3940892
    10 Apr 2012 – But Greater Taree City Council has not contemplated voluntary acquisition as … It’s still waiting for its draft coastal zone management plan to be …
  4. Old Bar prepares for double whammy – Local News – News 
    http://www.manningrivertimes.com.au/news/local/…bar…/2580596.aspx
    6 days ago – The Weather Bureau yesterday warned people from the south coast through to  was delivered a double blow by Greater Taree City Council public exhibition period for council’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan could 
  5. Council seeks fast-track for coast plan – Local News – News 

    16 Dec 2011 – GREATER Taree City Council will write to the NSW Minister of … with comment to the council’s draft coastal zone management plan. It will also …

  • More coast lost at Old Bar – Local News – News – General – Manning 

    4 days ago –  Taree City Council and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage had worked more effectively on the Coastal Zone Management Plan.

  • Make waves not war

    from Surf Magazine article by Bob McTavish (1967)..

    ..surfing research and development. A group of surfing minds. A headland that receives good swell and favourable winds.

    Let’s try the north side of Long Reef, Sydney, a half mile of coast around a rock bottomed pair of coves, the whole place takes any south quarter-wind, cops any swell at all, and has a lousy bottom shape. Really central. Conditions are excellent three to five days a week.

    Accurate chart of the bottom, suggestions for wave shapes, models, testing tanks, research on cement and plastic combinations and varieties, methods of anchoring, and go to town.

    A pipeline, an Ala Moana, a Malibu left, a Sunset walling into a Laaeakea, a Rincon, a Ti Tree, a right Pipeline, a few more imaginative breaks, some big and power(ful) some small. All varying with tides and swell sizes.

    Southerly this morning? Off to the Reef. Wow! Only 200 guys out, only about ten each break.

    Slip into wetsuit, grab wax, might just sit on nearby headland for a bit. and raise sensitivity to those waves, maybe get a rough plan figured on how to put together the session. Shape preferences, tide, frame – of mind…. Hit it.