Largest Recreational Marine Reef in Australia to be built on YP

Following previous community consultation, the Federal Government has announced the building of a 20 hectare marine reef located south of Ardrossan near Rogue’s Point.

All tiers of government, non-government, industry, private enterprise and community have all joined forces in this project. The project is being led by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with PIRSA, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, and other government agencies and community stakeholders.  The Federal Coalition Government will also contribute $990,000 through its Stronger Regions Fund.

The Yorke Peninsula Council’s contribution to this momentous project is $100,000.

The reef will be made up of 120 rows at 80 metres long and 4 metres wide up to 1 metre high built of 11,000 cubic metres of limestone, thousands of tonnes of oyster shells and pre-seeded native oysters and various sized reef balls.  It is estimated it will take 40 weeks to build stretching from Ardrossan to Rogue’s Point.

This will provide a major boost to fish and marine species stocks in St Vincent Gulf.

The Yorke Peninsula Council has been advocating for this project for a number of years. YP Council CEO Andrew Cameron said “this is the first large scale blue infrastructure project to be built in Australia.  It will involve multiple funding partners working together across ecology and natural resource management”.

“Construction costs will be around $4 million with further in-kind support provided by funding partners.  Lead partner, The Nature Conservancy will set up an office in Ardrossan.”

“The new reef will be able to be utilised for education and aquaculture programs, divers, fishers and community groups.”

“Tourism is crucial to our local economy and the flow through benefits to our region will be significant, creating jobs in the construction and operational phases as well as through increased international and national tourists.  The reef will also be extremely attractive to local and state recreational fishermen with excellent access from several boat ramps.”

Full release