NSW government float multi-million dollar artificial reef just south of the Gold Coast
LOCAL business has thrown its support behind plans for a multi-million dollar artificial reef just south of the Gold Coast that politicians say could rake in millions through tourism.
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LOCAL business has thrown its support behind plans for a multi-million dollar artificial reef south of the Gold Coast that politicians say could rake in millions through tourism.
The NSW Government yesterday announced the $1.1 million project, off the coast of Tweed Heads, designed to foster growth in the marine ecosystem offshore.
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said the exact size and location of the reef would be decided following an extensive community consultation and tender process. He said he hoped the project would be complete by the end of 2019.
“There are a lot of reefs off the Tweed and this will create a newer reef that will attract a lot of the species people look for — snapper, mulloway, kingfish,” he said.
They have holes in them where sealife, plant life and marine life can propagate and in turn, attract larger species.
“I think it’s a real plus for the local environment.
“Very shortly, tender documents will go out and there will be a very extensive community consultation allowing all people in our wider community to have their say.”
Yesterday’s announcement comes only weeks after the Tweed Shire Council quashed a proposal for a multi-million dollar surfing reef south of Fingal Head.
Tweed Chamber of Commerce president and local councillor Warren Polglase said any new tourism attraction, like the reef project announced by the NSW Government yesterday, would find support among the business community.
“If we can attract more tourists ... it’s something we would appreciate,” he said.