Onkaparinga Council to receive funding for new shellfish reef from Federal Government
A southern council will be one of three South Australian regions to receive funding for a new shellfish reef as part of a $20 million government program.
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Onkaparinga Council will soon be home to a new shellfish reef following the announcement of a $20 million government program.
This week, the Federal Government announced a coastal communities recovery project which will contribute to the restoration of at least 11 natural shellfish reefs across the country.
The project will support the restoration of the reefs, which are critical ecosystems for fish and other marine animals.
Onkaparinga Council was selected as one of three South Australian sites alongside Glenelg and Kangaroo Island.
Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the announcement was great news for the region.
“The community’s strong support for a shellfish reef in the south played a significant role in the announcement, which will add to Onkaparinga’s 31 kilometres of stunning coastline,” she said.
“We’re committed to making sure our region’s natural environment thrives and our economy benefits everyone, so I’m looking forward to seeing the impact the reef has on our precious marine life and jobs.”
Shellfish reefs are a critically endangered marine ecosystem with just 10 per cent of reefs remaining.
Overharvesting, dredging and pollution decimated the shellfish reefs which were once abundant across Australia.
The site for the Onkaparinga reef was not revealed but Port Noarlunga and O’Sullivan Beach were identified as suitable locations earlier this year.
The council will allocate $40,000 it had committed towards a shellfish reef in 2020-21 to this project.
The coastal communities recovery project in partnership with The Nature Conservancy aims to restore marine ecosystems while supporting coastal communities who have been impacted by COVID-19 and recent bushfires.
“Working with the Nature Conservancy, we will restore native shellfish reefs lost decades ago through overfishing and dredging, creating spectacular dive hot spots, a paradise for recreational fishers and helping to protect local coastlines from erosion,” Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said.