Largest artificial reef at Hervey Bay

The creation of two artificial reefs in the Great Sandy Marine Park means the time has come for families to enjoy new fishing grounds, as well as a great new dive site.

Perth based, Subcon Technologies has successfully completed the installation on June 1. The artificial reefs comprise 30 ReefTemple modules each 5m high and weighing 23 tonnes.

The 80 hectare Simpson Reef has been installed in 10 metres water near the Outer Banks and the Hardie Reef is in 16 metres, north-east of Little Woody Island. The new artificial reefs will enhance recreational fishing as well as diving in the Great Sandy Strait behind Fraser Island.

The Hervey Bay reefs are constructed from the same proven ReefTemple design which was deployed at Shoalhaven in New South Wales earlier this year. Subcon’s ReefTemple, is an Australian innovation that interacts with ocean currents to create upwelling and a rich supply of food.

The Subcon ReefTempleTM are a low maintenance, purpose-built, fibre reinforced, concrete module which have been tested in conjunction with the University of Western Australia.

Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef, Dr Steven Miles said the two new artificial reefs will create new habitat for marine life and recreational fishing and diving opportunities.

"The Simpson and Hardy Reefs will provide support for coral communities to establish and complex habitats for sustainable communities of marine life. We expect divers to see interesting creatures around the structures within weeks of completion and fishing should have improved substantially within 18 months," Dr Miles said.

"It won’t be long before anglers can drop their lines," Miles added. "The reefs have multiple openings, some large enough to allow diver access and great swim throughs. These openings will allow maximum light penetration while offering great protection for various species of fish."

The reefs are named after early lighthouse keepers – Woody Island’s first head lighthouse keeper John Simpson (1867 to 1870) and Peter Hardie (1870 to 1897).