Revamp of reef begins

SURFERS rejoice – the first step to improve wave conditions and ensure a more stable beach has been taken at Narrowneck.

More than $2 million is being spent to revamp the offshore artificial reef with 70 giant sandbags to be dropped onto it.

A specialised boat yesterday dropped the first bag, the size of a small bus, on the reef, with more to follow.

The sandbags are made of durable geotextile fabric which are designed for a long life.

Mayor Tom Tate yesterday inspected the reef works and said a better wave was expected to be possible after the upgrade was completed.

“While the primary purpose of the artificial reef is to function as a coastal protection structure, the City recognises the importance of surfing on the Gold Coast and has considered surfing outcomes when designing the renewal,” he said. “This has included scale model testing to assess wave breaking on the reef.”

The reef was first created in 199 to lessen the impact of erosion created by large waves at Narrowneck.

It was designed to dull the intensity of the waves as they hit the reef as well as creating a build-up of sand to act as a buffer during storms.

Cr Tate said improvements in the technology used to develop the reef meant the upgrades would last for more than 25 years.

“The ultimate aim is to have this reef be here for a quarter of a century to protect the residents here as well as all the public and private properties,” he said.