Dell Eco Reef celebrates another design win

CLIFTON Springs’ award-winning artificial reef has again been recognised for its innovative design, this time at the Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards.

The Dell Eco Reef last week took out the Excellence in Marine and Coastal Design or Development accolade at the annual awards, which celebrate the people and organisations contributing to the sustainable management and protection of Victoria’s coast.

Installed in 2022, the artificial reef was designed by Reef Design Lab’s Alex Goad, in collaboration with the City of Greater Geelong’s strategic coastal Planner Ralph Roob, to reduce coastal erosion and create a habitat for marine life.

The reef is comprised of 46 sculptural eco-friendly concrete and recycled units, whose surface is textured with cave-like holes to encourage colonisation by marine organisms and domed shape is designed to provide a wave break and therefore reduce sand erosion.

Mr Roob said the Dell Eco 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.”

For the Dell Eco Reef, the recognition follows recent accolades at the Victorian LGPro Awards for Excellence and last year’s international Dezeen Award for Sustainable Design.

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation was also recognised at this year’s Victorian Coastal and Marine Awards with the Embedding Traditional Owner Cultural Practices in Management award for a project last year delivered in conjunction with Barwon Coast.

The ‘Bukareeyoo – Returning Language to Country’ project involved the official naming of the area previously known as the Ocean Grove Spit to “Bukareeyoo”, a Wadawurrung word meaning “between”.

The intricate details and engineering behind the artificial reef will now be the focus of a coming Geelong Design Week exhibition.

The free exhibition will be housed at 60 Brougham Street, Geelong and run from November 21-30, opening from 10am to 4pm daily.

For more information, head to geelongdesignweek.com.au/events/dell-eco-reef-exhibition