[Alsone]

Hi Jill,

Most of my info has come off the web from companies concerned with the project and also some independant web sites around the world.

I am aware that initially there were allegedly some problems with Narrowneck caused by settlement of the reef and that the reef didn't initially allegedly perform as well as some people expected. However, I was under the impression that the reef had now been re-inforced and that the waves at Narrowneck had been improved although not to world class break standard. I was also under the impression that the reason why world class break standard hadn't been achieved was because the reef was not primarily designed for surfing but coastal protection.

Obviously as a resident you know better - I've never been to Narrowneck and so can only rely on info. posted on the web.

I support the reef in Newquay in principle as I believe there are advantages to the town so long as there is some tangible improvement in the wave quality. A world class reef would really be desirable though. If there is truly no improvement at Narrowneck then obviously I would have concerns.

So far as the bags are concerned, I have seen no information regarding the break ups you've mentioned. You will see from past postings though that I'm not particularly a fan of the geotextile bag idea anyway. Quite simply, I don't think the projected lifespan of the bags is long enough for the money involved in constructing the reef, even if they weren't allegedly prone to break up. I think any reef constructed should be designed to last for hundreds of years given the millions (or tens of millions) that would be invested.

If it becomes apparent that a reef that produces an improved wave can't be constructed in Newquay, then I would support the abandonment of the project.

Alsone.

[jill dumenil]

Hi Alsone,The Reef at Narrowneck was a dissaster ,it was supposed to make bigger waves and definately did not .The Geotextile bags that they used were damaged by anchors of boats and the hooks of fishing rods.When the bags split there were concerns it would cause damage to sea life. I have sent all the cuttings about it from our local Papers to my cousin Mick Burt of Newquay,so if you want confirmation he has it all.Mick is a local fisherman and is opposed to it being done on Towan Beach,.Who ever suggested putting it on Towan beach needs serious help<like their brain checked>.It will cause a build up of sand at the entrance to the Harbour and if, as you think, it did improve the waves it would wipe out the Sea Aquarium along the front of Towan Beach. Mick has all the cuttings from the last 18 months ,since they proposed to make another Artificial reef here at Palm Beach they debated about the problems at Narrowneck, and that is why thousands of Surfers rallied together at Palm Beach to oppose it.yours sincerely Jill Dumenil

[Alsone]

Hi Jill,

Thanks for the information - it can sometimes be very difficult to keep up with developments on the other side of the world.

The information you have supplied is very interesting. The only point I would (on the face of things) disagree with (although I don't have scientific modelling to back it up - only the proposed design information as publically released) is the point about the aquarium. There is a 25ft (vertical) tidal drop at Newquay and so any reef constructed would be so far under at high tide that it would no longer be working anyway and thus there should be no increase in wave height to endanger the aquarium at high tide.

The other points you raised are nevertheless of interest.

So far as the cuttings are concerned, I am the wrong person to send these to as I am an independant supporter of the project (subject now to the reservations of my last posting), and as such I am connected in no way whatsoever with the reef team or the council. I suggest that if your cousin shares your concerns, that he copies the clippings to the the council and reef team.

Kindest regards,

Alsone.

[Stormrider]

As far as i know the idea of the reef in Newquay has been totally shelved now.

[jill dumenil]

Originally Posted by Alsone

Hi Jill,

Thanks for the information - it can sometimes be very difficult to keep up with developments on the other side of the world.

The information you have supplied is very interesting. The only point I would (on the face of things) disagree with (although I don't have scientific modelling to back it up - only the proposed design information as publically released) is the point about the aquarium. There is a 25ft (vertical) tidal drop at Newquay and so any reef constructed would be so far under at high tide that it would no longer be working anyway and thus there should be no increase in wave height to endanger the aquarium at high tide.

The other points you raised are nevertheless of interest.

So far as the cuttings are concerned, I am the wrong person to send these to as I am an independant supporter of the project (subject now to the reservations of my last posting), and as such I am connected in no way whatsoever with the reef team or the council. I suggest that if your cousin shares your concerns, that he copies the clippings to the the council and reef team.

Kindest regards,

Alsone.

Hi Alsone,My cousin has passed the cuttings on to the relevant people,talking of high tides I have seen waves breaking over the North Quay Harbour wall and one old Newquay fisherman was drowned inside the harbour trying to tie up his fishing boat.That is why they do not need to endanger the Harbour entrance with the artificial reef.they need to be very careful so as not to endanger lives. yours sincerely Jill Dumenil.

[Alsone]

I don't know if this throws any light on why the reef hasn't allegedly performed as expected but this is an ASR document documenting a recent survey of Narrowneck. Please note this is copyright to ASR:

Narrowneck Reef Update – April 2003 The Figure below shows the Narrowneck Reef as designed by ASR consultants compared to the as-built reef in April 2001, when it was declared completed. While the summer storm bar accounts for some of the discrepancy between the design and the as-built (due to burial), it is obvious that a significant volume of the reef was not constructed – at this time the northern arm (the longest in the pic) still needed to be increased in height by ~6 m at its thickest point (the tip of the offshore reef crest). While the reef has proven itself with respect to coastal protection (e.g. Turner et al, 2001 – Argus coastal imaging), winning the State Environment Award for a coastal project, and good surfing conditions are reported on it during large wave conditions, the reef has still to live up to its full surfing potential due to its incompleteness. Since April 2001, more geotextile containers have been added to the reef on two occasions as part of the GCCC’s continued programme (>$100,000/yr for continued reef construction for 5 years). The reef has “already contributed to the quality of surfing waves both directly over the reef itself and also indirectly as an influence on the quality of the surf occurring on the transitional sandbanks that have formed near the reef structure” (J. McGrath, GCCC, July 2002). Since “there is evidence that the shape and design of the reef has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the surf quality for surfing at Narrowneck” (J. McGrath, GCCC, July 2002), one of the main aims of the 5 year construction programme is to progress the reef shape towards the design specifications. One of the greatest benefits that has come out of the Narrowneck reef project is the advances that have been made in reef construction methodology and materials handling – together with options such as foundation preparation and specified geo-container orientation, it has become increasingly easier to construct submerged reefs to design specification. Narrowneck Reef Comparisons (Design vs As-built (to April 2001) (All heights are below Australian Height Datum)

[Alsone]

I've just found this Australian Message board for the reef. There seems to be a lot of recent positive views on here plus a mention of an even better project using a sand bypass? channel.

http://www.narrowneck.com/100071.php?V=l

Please note there's also a lot of crap on here so you'll have to sort it out yourself.

Guess, you make your own mind up on whether it's working - I'm certainly confused.

[Sad?Old Hippie]

Said it b4...will say it agin...JUST BUILD T BLO*DY THING

N while theyre at it sort out a weather machine 2...wettest August I can remember down ere