Our globally recognised Dell Eco Reef at Clifton Springs has taken out the 'Excellence in Marine and Coastal Design or Development' award at last night's Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards.
The annual awards bring together the state's marine and coastal sector to celebrate our treasured coast and the people and organisations contributing to sustainably managing and protecting it.
The 'Excellence in Marine and Coastal Design or Development' category recognises projects and initiatives that showcase innovative, leading practice in marine and/or coastal design or development, in line with the principles of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
This special reef was designed by Reef Design Lab's Alex Goad in collaboration with our Strategic Coastal Planner Ralph Roob to reduce coastal erosion and create a habitat for marine life.
The 46 Erosion Mitigation Units, made of eco-friendly concrete and recycled shells, are a hit with local and visiting recreational snorkelers and swimmers.
As part of Geelong Design Week, community members will have the opportunity to view the intricate details and engineering behind these clever and creative units and see how human creativity can positively impact the environment.
The free exhibition will be held at 60 Brougham Street, Geelong every day during the festival from 21-30 November.
The Dell Eco Reef has won multiple prestigious awards such as the international Dezeen Award for Sustainable Design (Building Product) of the Year 2023 and 2024 Victorian LGPro Awards for Excellence .
City of Greater Geelong's Strategic Coastal Planner Ralph Roob
The sculptural reef was inspired by nature's own reef structures.The Dell Eco Reef provides essential habitats for marine life, enhancing biodiversity while protecting vulnerable species.
These eco-reefs have been carefully designed to not only protect the coast from severe wave action and create marine habitats, but also withstand various environmental conditions.
The units are providing a tourism drawcard and demonstrating how art, design, and environmental science can come together to create positive outcomes.
We are honoured by this award and thank the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council for recognising the City of Greater Geelong and such an important project for our region's environmental resilience.
The Dell Eco Reef project adds to the multi award-winning Ramblers Reef at Portarlington as examples of the City's innovative efforts to mitigate coastal erosion and storm surges with environmentally sustainable solutions.
