Surfrider Foundation Australia's position on artificial reefs is that, like most developments, we are neither blanket for nor against (except for ocean outfalls which we are against no question) but exercise caution on a case by case basis.

With respect to the artificial reef at Narrow Neck, the materials being used are environmentally benign, the near shore environment affected is sand, the reef is designed to dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shoreline thereby mitigating ongoing beach erosion problems caused, predominantly by the development of the Tweed River training walls in the 1960's which upset the natural erosion/acresion cycle on the Gold Coast.

The artificial reef is part of a long term strategy to build sustainable solutions and is designed to also create left and right breaking waves - the jury is still out on its effectiveness and will be for a long time. Other initiatives planned by the GCCC to mitigate erosion include a sand bypass system for the Tweed River. Ultimately, these solutions should see groynes removed that were built at Kirra and other locations in the 1970's.

The bottom line is to find balance between environment, amenity and commercial industry (i.e. fishing trawler access through the Tweed bar). It should be noted that the Gold Coast City and its people have spent in excess of $1M (Aus) for every kilometre of beach on the Gold Coast implementing mostly band-aid solutions to beach erosion problems since the 1960's. It is reported Dutch engineers recommended the construction of the Kirra Groyne back in the early 1970's (I say reportedly because it was way before my time!). If this is true, then there is a lesson in this for everybody, for example the cane toad! We need to be aware of importing exotics deemed to solve a problem and this includes engineering solutions.