Passionate group of Bunbury beachgoers oppose artificial reef with fears it marine life would be ‘annihilated'
A group of passionate beachgoers are opposed to the idea of an artificial reef being installed in Bunbury, with concerns its development may lead to the destruction of marine life and over-development.
The Bunbury Artificial Reef committee unveiled their plans for a multi-purpose granite reef at The Clam earlier this month, but beachgoer Julie Underdown is concerned about the impact it would have on the location.
She said a community of retired residents have been meeting at the location for years.
'This little spot — we've actually become friends over the years by meeting and swimming here, because we have a little lagoon that is a very safe environment to swim in,' she said.
'We're all mature aged people and it's also been a bit of a mental health thing . . . just being able to talk, chill out and use the ocean.
'We swap recipes, that's a big thing. We do food and we share food. We come down, we bring morning teas and meet people.'
Ms Underdown was concerned the marine life which congregate at The Clam would be under threat during the construction phase of the artificial reef.
'I'm very, very, very concerned that it will be annihilated,' she told the Herald.
'I'm not thinking of the human capacity here. I am thinking of the marine life because I can go somewhere else to swim.
Doug Shrampton — who is also part of the beach community — said he snorkels at The Clam around three times a day.
'I always come back with a huge big smile on my face,' he said.
'I'm just not looking for the fish, I'm looking for molluscs, I'm looking for sponges, I'm looking for sea grass — different varieties — and also the seaweed.
'It's just such a brilliant area to snorkel on and the fish out there are just quite amazing.'
Mr Shrampton said he was concerned 'Bunbury's hidden treasure' may lose it's appeal if the artificial reef was built and he didn't like the idea of more development along Back Beach, which could come as a consequence.
'I'm not totally opposed to it, I just can't sort of see the point,' he said.
Reef designer Troy Bottegal said the artificial reef — which would be installed on the back of The Clam — would attract more marine life to the area.
'We're not putting any rock on The Clam reef, we're actually increasing the size of the available habitat for pelagic and demersal fish,' he said.
Mr Bottegal also said the installation would only take three weeks and refuted the claims it would disrupt the local ecosystem.
'Any sand or beach effect the installation has, will be put back to right immediately after the installation,' he said.
'This new reef adds a whole lot more protection from ocean swells to the swimming lagoon.
'There will be no interaction between swimmers and surfers. The surfers will surf down the side of the reef. and the reef will then protect the existing swimming amenity.'
Mr Bottegal said The Clam and Hungry Hollow were for 'swimmers, snorkellers, surfers and fisherman' alike, and that the spot shouldn't be reserved exclusively for any group.
'On top of all the other factors and benefits the reef brings, one of the major purposes is to limit the erosion at the Hungry Hollow stretch,' he said.
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West Australian
21-05-2025
- West Australian
Passionate group of Bunbury beachgoers oppose artificial reef with fears it marine life would be ‘annihilated'
A group of passionate beachgoers are opposed to the idea of an artificial reef being installed in Bunbury, with concerns its development may lead to the destruction of marine life and over-development. The Bunbury Artificial Reef committee unveiled their plans for a multi-purpose granite reef at The Clam earlier this month, but beachgoer Julie Underdown is concerned about the impact it would have on the location. She said a community of retired residents have been meeting at the location for years. 'This little spot — we've actually become friends over the years by meeting and swimming here, because we have a little lagoon that is a very safe environment to swim in,' she said. 'We're all mature aged people and it's also been a bit of a mental health thing . . . just being able to talk, chill out and use the ocean. 'We swap recipes, that's a big thing. We do food and we share food. We come down, we bring morning teas and meet people.' Ms Underdown was concerned the marine life which congregate at The Clam would be under threat during the construction phase of the artificial reef. 'I'm very, very, very concerned that it will be annihilated,' she told the Herald. 'I'm not thinking of the human capacity here. I am thinking of the marine life because I can go somewhere else to swim. Doug Shrampton — who is also part of the beach community — said he snorkels at The Clam around three times a day. 'I always come back with a huge big smile on my face,' he said. 'I'm just not looking for the fish, I'm looking for molluscs, I'm looking for sponges, I'm looking for sea grass — different varieties — and also the seaweed. 'It's just such a brilliant area to snorkel on and the fish out there are just quite amazing.' Mr Shrampton said he was concerned 'Bunbury's hidden treasure' may lose it's appeal if the artificial reef was built and he didn't like the idea of more development along Back Beach, which could come as a consequence. 'I'm not totally opposed to it, I just can't sort of see the point,' he said. Reef designer Troy Bottegal said the artificial reef — which would be installed on the back of The Clam — would attract more marine life to the area. 'We're not putting any rock on The Clam reef, we're actually increasing the size of the available habitat for pelagic and demersal fish,' he said. Mr Bottegal also said the installation would only take three weeks and refuted the claims it would disrupt the local ecosystem. 'Any sand or beach effect the installation has, will be put back to right immediately after the installation,' he said. 'This new reef adds a whole lot more protection from ocean swells to the swimming lagoon. 'There will be no interaction between swimmers and surfers. The surfers will surf down the side of the reef. and the reef will then protect the existing swimming amenity.' Mr Bottegal said The Clam and Hungry Hollow were for 'swimmers, snorkellers, surfers and fisherman' alike, and that the spot shouldn't be reserved exclusively for any group. 'On top of all the other factors and benefits the reef brings, one of the major purposes is to limit the erosion at the Hungry Hollow stretch,' he said.
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Sydney Morning Herald
10-05-2025
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International House is a challenge we should not shy away from
Every other day, a skirmish erupts in Sydney's never-ending fight between housing and heritage. It is often cast in binary terms, as if it is simply a clash between the old and the new, or the ageing against the young. The truth is not as simple as NIMBY baby boomers clinging on to their vast gardens as entire generations are doomed to confinement in sky-high dystopian boxes and as housing becomes less affordable. Sydney does have a 'missing middle' the state government has been trying to address by adding hundreds of thousands of new dwellings in the coming years under the National Housing Accord. With all this in mind, it is tempting to dismiss space for 200 students as a drop in the ocean, but the sad state of disrepair at Sydney University's International House is both instructive and symbolic. Loading As higher education reporter Christopher Harris details today, International House has gone from a cheery site with 'compact, comfortable and bright' student rooms when it opened in 1967 to a derelict place where water pools on the floor and mould crawls through the walls. It is a dispiriting sight. While not heritage-listed, it is a place with history and character that could enrich the life of the city if looked after. Student accommodation is an important piece of the housing affordability puzzle. International students have been blamed for driving up rents, but this is unfair since, as the Herald has reported, they are facing skyrocketing accommodation costs themselves. Weekly rent at some buildings has passed $700 for a room in a small shared apartment, students have told of spending more than half their income on rent, and the situation can fairly be described as a crisis. UNSW and Sydney University have said they are attempting to keep prices at 75 per cent of the market rate. University accommodation, as Harris reports, is not officially considered affordable housing under state planning rules. This is something the University of Sydney is keen to change.
