Albany Artificial Surf Reef a swell idea for new South Coast surf hub

A proposed design for an artificial surf reef off Middleton Beach is estimated to cost $9.5 million, but would be a “viable investment” for Albany, according to a City of Albany-commissioned business case report. Councillors will vote on September 22 on whether to receive a revised business case, adopt a proposed design report and endorse CEO Andrew Sharpe to seek external funding support for the Albany Artificial Surf Reef project. If external funding becomes available for the project, further council support will be required. The City is calling for public comment on the proposed surf reef after publishing an update last month, which included a video detailing the project. The proposed 165m-long submerged rock reef is designed to provide consistent surf breaks of up to 100m in average conditions, and is expected to generate waves during 41 per cent of the year. The reef would be about 140m offshore from Middleton Beach and 150m north of the Surfer’s Beach carpark. It would not be visible from the sand, with the crest of the reef to sit 1m below the average water level. The surf reef project aims to provide safe and accessible surf breaks for all abilities — preventing surfers from having to travel long distances to catch waves at Mutton Bird Beach or Nanarup. The State Government has pledged $5m for the project, $500,000 of which has been used to commission a detailed design report from Bluecoast Consulting Engineers and a revised business case from Keston Technologies. In a report put to the council ahead of last night’s development and infrastructure services meeting, City officers outlined some of the report’s key findings and advised councillors to support the recommendations. Officers said the reef would be a “viable investment” and the City recommended continuing with the project, which would have a positive impact on retaining youth and driving tourism, especially during the winter months. The report said the artificial reef had the potential to position Albany as a “surfing hub” similar to Margaret River. “The implementation of an artificial surf reef will create a consistent, quality wave appropriate for holding events at State, national and international levels,” the report said. “Surfing WA indicated they would foresee holding three to four events per year in Albany that are not currently possible due to the poor quality of surf on Albany’s central beaches. “The implementation of the AASR would provide a significant tourism drawcard in Albany’s autumn-winter season, which predominantly experiences lower tourist numbers and overnight visitors to the area.” The construction phase is expected to create 31 full-time jobs in the industry and 130 jobs in the economy as as whole. The public comment period is open until September 14, via an online survey available on the City’s website. To watch the video, visit bit.ly/3idFxVq.