Central Coast Residents Back Artificial Reef Plan

NSW Central Coast residents have shown their support for a controversial plan to scuttle the decommissioned warship HMAS Adelaide off a local beach.

Around 500 people clapped and cheered at a public meeting in Terrigal last week when local Labor MP David Harris announced when the sinking off Avoca Beach will take place.

Harris told the meeting "we have put forward a date of the 13th of April for the scuttling to take place."

Marine scientists addressed the crowd in a bid to rebuff criticism of the artificial reef project by opponents, outling the environmental, economic and social benefits the ship will bring.

Its scuttling was postponed last March after a local protest group won an injunction against the plan on environmental grounds.

A small contingents of opponents were present at the meeting.

Michelle Meares from the No Ship Action Group, who is also running as an Independent at next month's state election, says they will consult lawyers over the decision.

Meares says the ship is covered in lead paint and needs equipment such as junction boxes and insulation removed to protect the marine environment, stating "we have evidence from the sister ship of the Adelaide, the HMAS Canberra, which has previously been scuttled off the coast of Geelong that these frigates are not designed for artificial reefs.

"That ship is falling apart, debris is washing up on the shore, the helicopter hanger has detached from the vessel and it has basically turned into a giant battery under the water."

Image: The HMAS Canberra wreck dive off the Victorian coast.

31st March 2010 - WARSHIP SINKING SCUTTLED BY COURT ORDER

20th January 2010 - ARTIFICIAL DIVE REEF FOR GOLD COAST?

26th November 2009 - KIWI TECHNOLOGY BEHIND EUROPE’S FIRST ARTIFICIAL SURF REEF 

13th August 2009 - GREAT OCEAN ROAD TO GAIN DIVING WRECK

2nd October 2008 - ASR AT WORK ON UK SURF REEF

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