Would be interesting to know if surfers have actually been consulted as part of any stakeholder discussions recently.

I found this from April 2016 - Brisbane Times

Palm Beach Board Riders Club says the reef is too far off shore to make any impact on waves and doubts the reef will be successful.

Spokesman Mike Gifford the club has no "formal position" on the artificial reef, because Gold Coast City Council has not adequately explained the concept to them.

"There is not a lot of information coming our way about it," Mr Gifford said.

He had been speaking to Gold Coast City Council for several years about the concept, but had no information for several months.

"I would say a large number of members are not in favour of it; but there are some who are in favour of it," Mr Gifford said.

"But from a club position I am inclined to say that we don't support it, but we are not against it," he said.

The surfers are more concerned about the large amount of sand planned to be dropped at the southern end of Palm Beach, Mr Giifford said.

"I believe all that is going to do is stop actual waves breaking on Palm Beach," he said.

"So from a surfing point of view, that concerns the club."

“While the primary purpose of the artificial reef is for coastal protection, it has the potential to create a surf break under favourable swell conditions. Let’s hope the surfers get to enjoy it as well.”

Hahaha.....yeah right.

Exactly ! History suggests that Kovalam in India is about the only submerged reef that was partially successful (initially anyway) re beach protection and improved surfing amenity. The world is littered with examples of failure when it comes to improving waves as a secondary or tertiary issue.

Stu - you should speak to James Carley at WRL - he has done loads of work on this over the years and is as keen a surfer as you could ever meet.

Swell blocker for burleigh ?

It will be interesting to see how this goes. The scuttlebutt is that the 'surfing amenity' as it now termed got more of a look-in on the design of this reef as opposed to Narrowneck, but let's face it, there was bugger-all surf amenity at Narrowneck when the engineers finished with it.
I was trying to work out if the location of the reef will be close to where the dredge dumped all that sand creating that salient out the front of 19th Av that was a fairly handy A-frame for awhile. I was hoping that the salient was used as a bit of a test for the permanent reef. Anyone know?
The angle of the reef from the pic they had in the GC Bulletin article yesterday looked to be more SE and sorta looked like the angle of Angourie so hopefully that might be the right angle for the prevailing swell.

What, they are going to spend 18.2 mil on a reef and not consult the surfing community.......so its pot luck if it helps the bank situation....18.2 mil......you would have thought they would have tried to make it surfable........doh

imagine all the services you could provide to the community for 18.2 million. instead the money goes towards the lucky few who own beach front properties. doesn't sound like money well spent.

Going to be interesting.

Could be a positive could be a negative.

Maybe help create some wedges, or might just kill the swell and create gutless waves (i expect this is what the council want)

Hopefully it doesn't effect Burleigh or the Alley in any negative way.

Quite a bit of info on the Council web site. Looks close enough to shore to create breaking waves in a decent swell and would help create wedges in a small swell. The sand build up is to be modeled. "Sand will be placed in – and beyond the surf zone and wave energy will move this sand onshore. Together, the sand nourishment and artificial reef will ensure that we have a sustainable solution for the future protection of Palm Beach."

The shape of the reef seems to have some angles to create a peak and a right and left of some sort.
Unless it makes the waves break or bend and focus it is pointless for beach protection so I suspect it will produce waves.
The unknown is how the sand will form. It could be amazing or may just vary a lot as the sand moves around. On long stretches of straight coast, underwater structure close in is a positive for surf especially with the sand movement on the goldie. Could be like The Wreck at Byron.

I think they might be trying to do what the Pipeline bathymetry does in Hawaii, where the outside reefs focus swell so it breaks and dumps the energy in one spot leaving reduced swell action either side. So the point of focus gets peaks and dissipates energy fast leaving inshore protected at that point and either side is also protected by the reduced swell height there. Aerial shot of pipe show this working. Having a house right on the beach at Pipe is safer than other spots on the North Shore cause of this.

I would be quite excited if I was a local.

So whats the consensus of the 'artifical 'reef at Narrowneck........?

Let's hope the reef doesn't effect sand movement north to Burleigh head a review conducted by a professor on the advisory council raised this as an issue and stated clearly if this was the case the reef would need to be removed high risk
sand moves south north on the east coast good luck getting 8 tonne boulders out of the water at that depth I know that they have done various modellling runs but if any one thinks they can model the dynamics of sand movement in the ocean in a tank they are kidding themselves the only true outcome will be after it's built and let's pray it doesnt cause more problems because history shows we generally make a mess when we try to manipulate nature simply put what ever they build in the ocean should be removable and 8 tonnes rock isn't
As far as surf fopotential goes dream on the reef is not the right shape
I did propose a much more suitable reef design which would have protected the beach produced peeling waves and if worst case scenario eventuates could be easily removed pity the Ciuncil didn't adopt it
Much simpler to just dump boulders in the ocean not a great deal of thought required
I suggest we all start praying especially the surfers at Burleigh a Heads
Shane Abel,

Looks like its going to block any south swell, possibly stuff up Burleigh by the looks, break up swells , stuff up the banks all along the coast. Another classic case of Humans trying to mess with nature creating disasterous results. Its very sad news and we should be fighting this.

Burleigh could also improve with less sand stop it breaking wide in bigger swells. Some of the best photos (and stories) ive seen of burleigh have been when the swell follows the rocks onthe inside breaking through to kiddies corner.

https://hodaddy.com.au/products/burleigh-heads-1970s

rock walls at Tallebudgera creek are far bigger obstacle to sand transport than one pissant bunch of boulders at Palmy, especially so close to shore.

Photo no.51 gives an idea to burleigh potential pre rock wall. http://www.rogerswebsite.com/gold-coast-in-the-1950s-and-1960s/

Also worth noting is that the mining for rutile and other minerals during the 1950’s and during the dredging for the training walls was actually detrimental to sand bank stability as these heavy minerals helped to hold banks together.

The scale of this is too small to impact Burleigh in my opinion. It would be just a blip in the longshore drift up the coast. Ocean dynamics on straight coastlines work inexorably to create the straightest profile to the dominant swell. This equals cloeouts. Storms rip this up and create banks but then it heads back to towards a straightline. Angled and peaky swells can work with not much of a bank or kink in the coastline. But as a general rule a reef or bomby in the wave zone or just outside it is a good thing. This is especially so with good longshore sand movement. The goldcoast is way more suited to having artificial reefs collect sand than say a victorian or south aussie beach or the well known failures in NZ and Bournemouth.

In this case, the issue is that correct placement, shape and depth can make such a difference to the outcome. Good modelling could create an understanding of how to place the reef so it works with the ocean to end up say 10 per cent reef and 90 per cent sand and end up with something special. The priority is to encourage them to model swells and sand flow on computers but also in a tank test to get it right. Observations of existing bombies in similar sand flow situations on the coast north of the clarence would be useful too.

Just plonking rocks down and crossing fingers is not enough.

If it does make some good peaks, it sounds crowded.

Ask the council for a copy of my proposal it was sent last year
Google park beach artificial surf reef and look at the story at the top shows the basic layout
Unlike every failed surf reef built to date its built not on the ocean floor and the shape can be designed to match any reef worldwide plus can be easily built and easily removed
Design is probably a bit to far left field for the experts that have been used by the council who actually don't have a good track record on reef. design
Dumping rock is so much simpler and doesn't need much thought
Hate to think outside the box
Good luck to all the palm beach and Burleigh surfers

my appols for a stupid question, but in the photo of the above article, are they putting boulders in all that section above the red area?

As per my previous comments reliance on computer modelling which produces lots of nice coloured outputs very impressive and tank testing is fraught with danger we can't model what happens in the real world sand movement is complex three dimensional and no tank test or computer model can replicate that and if the experts were honest they would state that just ask what happened in port Phillip bay with all the modelling and the disappearance of the Portsea back beach which wasn't an outcome of all the modelling

Is this to be 270 odd metres offshore ?
What distance are the shark nets ?

I thought this area was part of the world surfing reserve and couldn’t be touched? I could be way wrong.

Just watched the GCC video on the project. They are planning some detailed tank testing. The video indicates the reef will create breaking waves. On its own I would guess a short sucky left and right fattening off as it moves into deeper water with wedgey peaks inside in the shorebreak. Over time a part sand spit (kink in the beach) would develop in the protected zone inside.

I can think of a few reefs with inside beach breaks quite similar to this. The inside waves are not mega mechanical perfection but more a Dbah random peaks type thing that always have some shape if you hunt around. Some days they can get really good if the swell and sand is right. Plus they turn 2 footers into powerful 3ft peak.

The interesting addition is the sand nourishment. This could entend the sand spit out further helping create more point style waves in South or NE swell but with crossed up peaks sometimes running through it. Regular sand nourishment could create other temporary banks like a while ago. If somehow the sand collects next to the outer reef (far from certain) a really high quality wave could develop.

Overall it probably won't stack up as much compared to the points but would be another spot to check and spread the crowd and like Dbar always have something and occasionally much more.
This is possiby the first major reef project in the world in a favourable sand environment with the benefits of lessons learned from past failures to guide it. It has every chance of getting a good result and the designers would know there are a lot of eyes watching them. I would expect them to put in a good effort not like some past amateurish projects we all know about.

I reckon locals and others should provide positive support but let them know they are being watched very closely. Focus their minds with fear of failure.

For me the GCCC hasn't addressed any concerns regarding the silting up of the natural reef and estuary systems. They didn't give a fuck when they buried Kirra Reef and many other small lesser known reefs between Snapper and Currumbin with the sand pumping and dumping,, not to mention completely destroying the Kirra surf break for many years in the process.

So the boulders are dumped out on the existing Palm beach Reef?

wtf?

Most here focused on surf capability (no surprises). But as Tate said, this is about "people and property" (mostly the latter!). Building a reef to create great surf won't necessarily protect those, and vice versa.

Love how everyone is an expert on sediment transport and reef design. Haven't seen much evidence of formal qualifications in coastal processes on here. Armchair/office chair/toilet seat experts perhaps?

Reef unlikely to affect Burleigh in the long run. May be temporary reduction in sand supply to BH when they first set it up, but eventually (as long as they don't continue to pump sand adjacent to- or onto it), things will return to normal. Well, at least your current definition of normal. As others have alluded to, many coastal zones in Oz are already significantly modified (GC probably more than any other). Meaning unless you surfed most places before the 60s, you've actually no idea what "the natural" state of your local actually is. In addition, natural multi-decadal variability in climate systems can mean the most recent 15 yr period of surf conditions in a given location is worse/better than prior. For example, successive years of southerly tracking tropical cyclones can reduce beach widths significantly, to the point where it takes another 10 years for the long-term maximum beach width to re-establish itself.

Particularly interested in ShaneAbel's quals.... and they've gotta be more than just "mate, I've been around for 70 years and it's just f---n common sense"....I hear this all the time. Unfortunately, the approach of "just do it this way it makes total sense, ya drongo" is why we've got a legacy of so many dysfunctional beach compartments here and overseas.

Speaking of depositing the artificial reef onto the existing reef....is an EIA being done on that (if not already)?

Palm Beach Reef is one of the main recreational fishing spots on the southern Gold Coast......I couldn't imagine thousands of rec fishos would be happy about the best mackerel spot on the Goldy being destroyed.

Assuming the reef will be breaking now during most swells?

Dickys Reef could be a comparison as far as wave quality goes

GCCC buried GC Pointbreaks/Creek runners/Reefbreaks/Sand hill A frames.
Today's outer Superbank bowling lane gutters race up the coast.. Jet Ski jumpers too slow! Surfbreaks merged into a string of party waves... Superbank or Bust!

Tubeshooter's reef concerns are shared.
Kirra's Larger prouder East & South reefs shaped The Point to channel the Kegs. Shh!
1995-2018 Sand Pumps buried both Reefs and now burying smaller deeper north Reef.
{RIP} Iconic Kirra Reef point break & Yes I know! Greenmount/Cooly Ck Lefts & so on...
[Bring back the southern points' STICKERS] Beep! Beep!

Our '60's Palm Beach C'van Park family home was evacuated then eaten by a hungry sea.
Today! Dutto's millionaire Palm Beach Watch Tower must be defended at all cost.

Natural protection is afforded by way of central majestic Offshore Reef
Inside 24th Ave Reef is a wave magnet for Palm Beach Boardriders (Happy 50th Anniversary)

Artificial protection:
1940 Sandmined (re: 2017 reversal )
1972 Kirra Groyne
1973 Currumbin Ck Sth Groyne
1976 Talle Creek Groyne
1980 Currumbin Ck Nth Groyne
1980 Palm Beach 21st Ave Groyne
1980 Palm Beach 11th Ave Groyne

Creek Dredging and Sand Pumping intensifies each Year but Palm Beach Erosion continues.
Obvious flaw in this plan being the higher the Beach the Closer the wave upon your door
Answer! GCCC wish to transfer the waveline a mile out to sea or even more if they could.

2004 ($17m) 3x parallel Dog bone Reefs were rejected by Surfing Community

2012 Sand pumping on steroids totally gutted Southern Palm Beach Surf community.
Palm Beach groynes are now half buried as new shoreline can be walked around anytime
Southern Palm Beachies walled off by offshore Bowling Alley resemble a Ghost Town.

2016 PB Shoreline Project (Consists of 4 phases) Unless otherwise cancelled...

(Phase 1)
2017 Rainbow Warrior II continued 2010's sand dump nightmare further along bowling lane.
Rainbow Dredge (Blue Sky Mining)...Showers heavy metal acid rain over Beachgoers.
By shaking towels returns Heavy Minerals to Sand Dunes (May break every law on earth?)
(Above) thermalben thoughtfully links to Stu's 'nourishing phase 1' (23 Aug 2017)

(Phase 2)...($18.2m Reef) As we're discussing here...
2019 Artificial Boulder Reef...Using 8T boulders (160m x 80m x 1.5m deep) 270m from shore.
Reef sits off 19th Ave.( Start: May > End: Oct) Built for beach erosion & tested as Surf Break.
Bne Wave Modeling $180K (see Full length Video of tests and project on gccc page)
Aerial Wave Models are run in deeper Reef water- Pre Rainbow Warrior II as crew here said.

www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/mobile/palm-beach-shoreline-project-46031.html

Phase 3 ($ 21m/Half' State/GCCC) Larger Reef 600m long x 200m wide (300m off 4th Ave).
This larger Reef seems like a raised collared sand trap saluting 'Saltwater Fish Traps'-tech.
Phase 2/3 Reefs are then Back filled by Rainbow Warrior II
Phase 3 Reef is/was promised as a Quality Surfbreak
2018-2019 Timeline is seemingly delayed until Phase 2 works feedback.

Phase 4 Sand Pointbreak extends twice the Groyne length or 200m out from 11th Ave.
Shorter righthander on North Side with straighter longer Left stretching back to PB SLSC

Please can tech guru swellnetonian transfer a full beach project photo from this story?
Brisbane Times 27 April 2016/$20 million artificial reef plan to save Gold Coast's Palm Beach

Smartstate local Groms be stokin' up Palmy Army / Surfduck Safaris...
1st customer already booked- Mayor is to test ride Dutto Reef on his Mal...or so he says.

Shane Abel qualifications
Civil engineer 30 years
Last three years investigating design of artificial,surf reefs dealings with Shaw Mead ex ASR who had built a number of reef s all of which have been failures
Involved with tank testing an asr design
Involvement with computer modelling of reefs

I'm not sure as to any Natural Reef being built on but one will die due to Artificial Reef!
Perhaps thermalben was referring to reef being built on'former proposed' reef site?

(Phase 2) 19th Ave Artificial Reef will suffocate the barely breathing 24th Ave Reefbreak.
PB Desert Storms all but buried 24th Ave Reef...Phase 2 Reef should entomb it forever.
If it moves kill it... A reef has to die somewhere each day. Only fair that being ours be next.
Seems thermalben is right eitherway when you look at it.

Staircase Right backdoored the Gold Coast Pipe...
Well! What are you all waiting for...Cross it off the list...Just shoot it already!

Dutto will deport any wave landing on his Shoreline.
To help Dutto with his Surveillance...check out WRL Palm beach Cam archive

ci.wrl.unsw.edu.au/current-projects/central-gold-coast-palm-beach/

In regards to Burleigh Point + WSR.
As we speak PHAS is contaminating Gold Coast WSR Kirra

Burleigh Kiosk's dodgy extension now runs own stormwater. (GCCC can't stop them)
Ramping rocks high against extended Kiosk wall will deviate return Point flow
In turn this now blocks off access from beach thru to WSR/NP Pointbreak

Gone the Beach Babes selfies trail to Surfers Paradise backdrop
No Gran & kidz walkway from Beach Flags to Rockpools

Meaning this is the first complete Private ownership to shoreline along mid East Coast.
Add that the owners make up their own rules from 1950's leasehold.
I'm with you Nakiboi how the hell in a Saltwater Peoples NP/WSR does this shit happen?
No! None thought if you approve his open top bar he'd lock you all out of his own WSR.
Burleigh Point > (Kiosk private Property) Access Denied (Stick to the path losers) >

The GCCC buried it's collective head in the sand it dredged and pumped and turned Kirra foreshore , reef and point into a desert. Dredge guys were getting abused on the marine radio by fishos constantly for dropping sand on or around nearshore reefs. Complaints department at the GCCC HQ in overdrive from surfers , fishos , divers ,etc.. " We are monitoring the situation as best we can but ,,"....
It did fuckall to improve the Tweed bar and left Fingal and Kingscliff void of sand and with erosion problems for long periods.
But ,, but,, the superbank...don't care. They killed Kirra and I can never forgive them for that.

Reef design so awesome it left the ABC speechless...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-12/artificial-reef-proponent-shane-ab...

Trollololol...

But in all seriousness, without knowing any of the detail, part of me (the surfer bit obviously) hopes your stuff would actually work. But you'll need to forgive the cynicism....we've got all these coastal problems in large part because people who had no real idea about what they were doing did a bunch of stuff that "just makes sense".

Score! This gccc site reveals the whole deal. Try this link...

www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/pbsp-part-d-report-drawings.pdf

Alternate Working Title
(Search):Palm Beach Shoreline Project Part D Concept Design Report & Drawings April 2014

Frog - qualifications:

Masters in Frogology
Phd in Pond Geomorphology

40 years experience in stuff

So i know a thing or two about artificial reefs

@ShaneAbel...

I was wondering if your proposal to government bodies or councils contained any punctuation, or grammar and spellchecks? Maybe that's the only reason they chose to ignore you, but I have no engineering background to substantiate my ideas...

Great comments shows the vast spread of opinion which is good for debate
My final comment is what ever you put in the ocean environment you must be able to remove it just in case you get it wrong and history shows we generally get it wrong

Swellnet ran a feature of Shane's Reef ...
"Artificial reef for southern Tasmania" (Thursday 13 July 2017) or lucky dip Link...

https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2017/07/13/artificial-re...

Jet Skis are used to Monitor Artificial Reefs.
Cheeky fishermen use them around Artificial Reef avoiding anchorage prohibition.
Big Wave Jocks film themselves ripping over Narrowneck Artifical reef with Jet Skis

Palm Beach Natural Reef has 100m exclusion zone... but what for Jet Skis ?
Phase 2... Dutto's Reef has no Jet Ski Ban or does it?

Mindful that Currumbin Creek disguises WSL DeathStar launch ramps
Also recall that our Pro jumperz are on parole and banned from the Alley.

Our Cooly Jumperz evil plan is to snake the Mayor's mal then cut the tape on Dutto's Reef.
An act of terror or terrible acting...Not a very original Evil Plan either I might add!

Hmmmmmmmm
"My final comment is what ever you put in the ocean environment you must be able to remove it just in case you get it wrong and history shows we generally get it wrong........"
I had an email from someone who attended your info meeting on your design - you proposed that if it didn't work you were going to cut the 250 or so chemically treated pylons off at the base and leave them to rot and fester in the sea bed .........

Not a lot of love for Troy's vision either .. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/airwavesurfreefs/airwave-the-worlds...
I hope he's not waiting for Tom Tate to call the bat phone anytime soon.

Talking sand flow and Burleigh here.
Surfed it in the late eighties when it would run right down the point right next to the bolders. Great little hollow barrels to be had. Surfed it in the early , mid, late nineties still similar though a little different.
Early 03 to late 05 surfed it and they started going mondo with the sand pumping , changed the wave especially on the small to mid days.
08 surfed it again , seemed to be breaking closer to the rocks again
Super fun.
I think for all the time surfing Burleigh I like it more with less sand.
So if this fake reef keeps the sand away.....what happens.
As far as erosion goes ....... Seems a lot of erosion actually happens from consistent trade winds . so I'm not too sure if the people designing reef actually understand that?

As a Palmy local and recent paid subscriber (i.e. I can now make comments) I thought I would give my two cents.

I think this is great and I am really excited to see how it all pans out, although I am only expecting a break that will be worth surfing when all of the points are firing also.

First of all, the comments about human playing with nature "creating disastrous results" are rubbish. Human intervention has created the best breaks on the GC and you could hardly call Dbah, The Superbank and TOS as 'disastrous' results for surfers.

Secondly, I think that the scale of the initial reef is too small to have any significant impact on Burleigh point except possibly for the most southerly angled swells, which dont really do much for the point anyway. You need at least some E in the swell for Burleigh to fire (except maybe for massive S swells) and this reef wont block any SE swell from hitting the point. Also I cant see it having any major impact on sand making it to the point. Anyway, they are pumping send directly from Talle Creek to the beach at Burleigh right now for flood mitigation so sand can be replenished easily if needed.

The only concern is Palmy reef but again it is only small portion of the reef and it may actually create an enhanced environment for marine life with hard rock closer to the surface meaning anchor points with greater exposure to sunlight for marine life. Also the reef is only likely to break when the surf is so large that boaties couldn't access it via Currumbin Creek anyway meaning that it wont impact much on fishing opportunities. So it wont be capping at 1-2 foot and restricting boaties fishing the reef.

So I really don't see many potential negatives from this proposal and if it can create an alternative to The Alley or Burleigh when its 4-6 foot then bring it on. Anything to thin out the crowds is a good thing.

Im sure there will be some differing opinions to what I have said but anyone who has the mindset that man made intervention is bad for surfing needs to take a look at some historical photos of the GC.

Wise men build on rock foolish man on sand. We have as much hope of holding back the sea as king canute.

Palm Beach Reef - Phase 2 Mail-out begins today...
Palmy Army check your mailboxes for signs of Reefer Madness.

Physical works start April > finishing in 18 months.

Here's a rundown of Phase 2 (INTRO update) + fly thru-vid...
http://www.mygc.com.au/work-about-to-begin-on-gold-coasts-18-2m-artifici...

In case you don't get INTRO Mailout here's GCCC 'March 2019 update'
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/palm-beach-shoreline-project-46031.html

*HC2 have been awarded contracts & have commenced quarrying rocks for the reef.

ALM Australian Leisure Management are a concise research tool for specifications,
Go to site if you're searching for obscure Wave Pool & water ride details on the run...

28/Feb/2019 ALM report on PB Artificial Reef is worth a visit + includes Surf wrap.

+ Check page archive links >>>> WSR/Surf Management Plan/Symposium + Reefs

https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/gold-coast-multi-million-dollar-artif...

Gold Coast Sun recently ran a divers article on Palm Beach Reef.
Disclaimer : One of two dive experts quoted is tbb's twin sister.
Here's an insight to the underwater world of proposed Artificial Palm Beach Reef.

Firstly there is no Fishing off reef. (Reef will also have marker Buoys)

Central Location/easy access/proximity to shore/shallow nature will entice divers.
Divers stress that it will be a good dive site when ' No Surf ' is about.
Reef will be just as popular with snorkelers. (Likely in Small to No surf also!)
Much along the same lines of Palmy bait reef. Not suitable for snorkeling in surf.

Rock Reef is a stable base for sealife to attach as opposed to concrete chem reaction.
Barnacles would move in first then algae, next seaweed.
After 12 months sealife will grow.
Some fish move straight in with others one year on...more & more.

(Nooks) will attract & house many smaller sea creatures attracting bigger critters.

Divers support for reef lies purely in the fact that it supports habitat.
Diver/s are more than aware of loss of Southern Reefs = (Loss of dive Sites)

However the Sun Article wished divers purely to describe Artificial Reef process.
More Q&A about Artificial Reef than an interview about Southern Gold Coast Diving.

review of Gold Coast Sun Article published 13/March/2019 (Page 5)
'New Reef a Win-Win for divers and Fish'...
(Again! Title is not the Diver's promo for Project!) I can assure readers of that.
Divers are fully aware of Bait Reef in the firing line...that needs to be said.

To be honest said Divers consult with GCCC on a host of current dive proposals.

Mayor took it upon himself to finish article saying surf community welcomed the reef.
It is what it is folks call it a better than average puff piece.(A good read nevertheless!)

My better half deserves the credit...more than happy to share the stoke Stu!

Just quietly I hear the crew are more than happy with #1 Surf Journo Stu...
Swellnet readers may be spoilt but we're ever grateful.

GCCC have a new pop up mobile site for PBAR
tbb never owned a mobile so can't tell the difference.
Nethertheless tbb will be brave enough to give the site a bash for our April Update.

April Update: What's New!
*HC2 continue Quarrying rock in SEQ...
Note: tbb admits to not knowing if 'Boulders' are Trucked or Rail freighted to Port.

*Rocks (8 tonnes each) will be loaded onto 'Specialised Barges' @ Port of Brisbane

*Boulders 8T are then barged to Palm Beach
tbb questions...
a) Boulder weight scours dugong seagrass grounds in Southern Moreton Bay MP
b) Specialised Barge (large ships) only operate during Spring-tides (2x month)
c) Surfing the Barge via the Ocean may be the only other option.
note: Slow haul "Specialized Barges" from Bne to Palm Beach may ramp up cost.
note: Lesson in logistics! GCCC propose barging fuel from same Port of Bne to CST.

*Specialist barge, marine equipment is needed to accurately position the 8T boulders.

*May marks the beginning of this construction phase. (Seas Pending)

*Exclusion Zone (During construction phase)
Zone Measures about 300m square starting 200m approx from shoreline.
Prohibits all ocean users...(Presumably includes Pacific SLSC) (re: illustration)
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/mobile/palm-beach-shoreline-project-4603...

tbb rewards Easter readers with their Basket of treats.

1) Tugun Desal Barge with Distance offshore & exclusion Zone..(Thanx Eric Couta)
http://fishingadventures-couta1.blogspot.com/

2) tbb seen some surfing off this barge.(Anyone?) ..Beached Barge (Thanx WtGC)
http://walkingthegoldcoast.com/walking/desalination-barge-washed-on-to-t...

3) Split Hull Dredger Faucon accurately dropped sand bags at Narrowneck Reef.
Not certain if same vessel of similar for PB Boulder drop...(Any experts in this area?)
Swellnet Stu & Ben did an excellent job covering all angles on last GCCC reef.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2017/11/07/narrowneck-ar...

Late May Mango Madness delivers full Troppo Reefer Madness...Hold on crew!

[news] Sat 18th May 2019 (Work commences see 9 news vid below).
[Caution] Temporary Exclusion Zone prohibits site access.

Tug Boat tows 'Dumb Split Hopper Barge' to Drop zone...See GCCC vid @ [2:40]
The 8T boulders are dropped & repositioned by The Backhoe Barge GPS claw.

*GCCC May Update... (Standard window has nasty cheap vid so we need to detour)
Hold on as we shrink in size to pop up inside the mobile site (We can do that now!)
.
https://beachesgoldcoast.com.au/projects/palm-beach-shoreline-project/

"Palm Beach Artificial Reef" details procedure & touches on Surfing aspect.
(Working Project & Final outcome oversight) is added to newsletter...(Got That!)

Construction on Palm Beach Artificial Reef 'Begins' (Thanks 9 GC News)
https://www.facebook.com/9NewsGoldCoast/videos/323349698344855/

tbb {Bonus Freebie}
MACHIAVELLI (Detailed plans/Stats of PB Backhoe Dredge)
Built in Auckland NZ by Heron
https://www.heronconstruction.co.nz/Equipment/Machiavelli.html

'Example' of 'Dumb Split Hopper Barge' used to ferry boulders from Port of Bne.
'Dumb' meaning non manned barge towed by Tug.
http://www.seaboats.net/32m-split-barge-for-charter-xidp1410328.html
tbb will endeavour to track actual Dumb Split Hopper Barge...(Feel free to Name it!)

tbb will reintroduce the Narrowneck Reef FAUCON to show the difference.
FAUCON is a Split Hull Dredger.(Combos both the above thereabouts)
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/narrowneck-reef-renewal-39934.html
Note: Swellnet kindly provides a freeview Surfcam of Narrowneck Reef break.

{Pause}
Whale season & or impacts! Please share any project ...(Whale protocol)
tbb introduced vessels to show East Coast can transfer inshore Whales efficiently.
Crane Arm is Strong to transfer whale to Split Hopper- releasing Whale at sea.
Should East Coast Rescue Ports invest in such vessels Oz goes from zero to hero.

Please thank Swellnet for the Palm Beach Artificial Reef Updates...Thanks Swellnet.