Published on Monday, 16 December 2019 at 11:13:04 AM
The City of Albany has awarded a tender for the detailed design of an artificial surf reef at Middleton Beach to a company with proven experience in artificial reef structures.
Bluecoast Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd specialise in coastal engineering, monitoring and management, modelling and design, and climate change resistance. Their previous involvement in the feasibility study for the reef project, and the Emu Point to Middleton Beach Coastal Adaptation work in 2017, has given them experience working with Albany’s conditions.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe said the Bluecoast team is recognised for their innovative approach to employing cutting-edge technology and research in their work.
“They have proven experience in artificial reef structures and the challenges a project like this presents, having recently completed the successful Palm Beach artificial reef on the Gold Coast. Our major projects team will work closely with Bluecoast on this detailed design phase to get a better picture of what structure design will work and what it will cost to build,” he said.
Regular users of Middleton Beach and key stakeholders will be consulted as part of the detailed design, with a Project Steering and Working Group already established and a community forum planned for early next year.
The City is also partnering with the Wave Energy Research Centre based at Albany’s UWA Campus to peer review the design process and strengthen confidence in the design.
Mr Sharpe said the centre had already made a significant contribution to the work to date.
“The Wave Energy Research Centre has expertise in waves and coastal processes, along with Albany-based research infrastructure that will be invaluable support to the detailed design process,” Mr Sharpe said.
The State Government committed $5 million towards the Albany Artificial Surf Reef at the last State Election, allowing the detailed design phase to progress. The detailed design process is expected to be complete in mid-2020 and will allow further funding to be leveraged to build the reef, which is currently estimated to cost $9 million.
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