As Chair of the City of Greater Geelong’s Environment and Circular Economy portfolio, few things are more rewarding than seeing some of our local environmental projects recognised on the global stage.
The Dell Eco Reef, an ocean-friendly artificial reef structure designed to restore coastal habitats, is currently on display at the prestigious Trienal de Design de Covilhã in Portugal – one of the world’s leading exhibitions focused on sustainable design and innovation.
Designed by Australian Industrial designer Alex Goad in collaboration with the City of Greater Geelong, the reef responds directly to two serious environmental issues along our coastline: erosion and habitat loss.
Just offshore at Clifton Springs, the reef modules sit in shallow water, around 60 metres from the coast.
They are made from eco-friendly concrete using the bi-product fly ash instead of standard cement, blended with recycled shells.
Installed in October 2022, these units work by creating a permeable barrier that slows wave energy.
In doing so, they help protect our fragile cliffs and stabilise the shoreline.
The reef structures also provide vital shelter for marine life and support biodiversity.
They are already helping to restore important habitats, including for the critically threatened native flat oyster.
Recently, more than 1000 juvenile Angasi oysters were deployed onto the reef modules by researchers and local community volunteers.
Hands-on work is supported by University of Melbourne researchers and the Clifton Springs Curlewis Coastcare group and will be monitored in the coming months to track survival and growth.
Community involvement has been a key part of the reef’s success. Local knowledge, care and curiosity have helped shape this project into something that’s not only scientifically sound, but deeply meaningful for the people who live here.
The Dell Eco Reef has already won multiple awards, including the 2023 Dezeen Sustainable Design (Building Product) of the Year, an LGPro Award for Excellence and Victorian Marine and Coastal award for Excellence in marine and coastal design – development in 2024.
It builds on the success of another local project – Ramblers Reef at Portarlington, which has also demonstrated how nature-based solutions can protect our coastline while encouraging marine life to return.
The Dell Eco Reef isn’t the only homegrown innovation attracting international attention.
Perpetual Pigments, developed by Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials, has just been exhibited at the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne in France.
This project is leading a new way of thinking about sustainability by extracting colour from discarded natural fibre textiles, producing micro-pigments suitable for applications in art, fashion and design.
Both of these projects reflect a shift in how we respond to environmental challenges.
Instead of seeing waste or damage as problems to fix, they ask what opportunities exist if we design differently.
Next time you’re walking along the shoreline at The Dell, take a moment to think about what’s just beneath the surface.
It’s not just a reef. It’s a living example of what’s possible when community, science, design and care for Country come together.
To keep up to date with environmental news and projects across our region, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/environment
