Designs revealed for Gold Coast offshore dive site

The first designs for an artificial reef that is intended to become a recreational diving attraction site have been revealed by the Gold Coast City Council.

The contract to design and build the $5 million dive site delivered by the Queensland Government and Gold Coast Council has been awarded to Australian company Subcon Technologies Pty Ltd.

Advising that the concept design was “quintessential Gold Coast” and complemented the region’s existing recreation dive offerings, City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate stated “the Gold Coast is known for delivering many world firsts and this floating reef will take its place as an iconic eco-tourism experience unrivalled on a global scale.

“The floating reef will establish itself instantly as a must do or bucket list experience when you are on the Gold Coast.

“Divers will be able to swim around and through the floating reefs which over time will become covered in marine growth attracting schools of fish and other species.”

The reef sculptures are the work of renowned Queensland artist Daniel Templeman.

The attraction is to be built 2.5 kilometres off Main Beach and is expected to be open by June 2021.

Its nine sculptured Steel Reef flutes will stand about 16-20 metres above the ocean floor, giving divers the opportunity to swim around and go through the floating reef.

Expected to attract more than 15,000 new visitors each year, the completed attraction’s structures are expected, in time, to become covered in marine growth attracting schools of fish and a diverse range of marine sea life.

Subcon Technologies have delivered more than 20 industrial scale engineered reefs in Australia and internationally.

Before work begins, further design development will be conducted with a dive industry reference group being consulted.

The cost is to be equally split by the Queensland Government and the Council.

Concept images for the artificial reef courtesy of the Gold Coast City Council.