NRM South, Reef Builder Southeast Tasmania, D'Entrecasteaux Channel

Current Stage

Assessment Completed

Proposal Details

Client: NRM South

Premises: D'Entrecasteaux Channel

Activity: Artificial Reefs

Class of Assessment: 2B

Important Dates

Assessment Commenced: 5/11/2021

Case for Assessment Opened for Public Comment: 2/7/2022

Case for Assessment Closed for Public Comment: 30/7/2022

Assessment Completed: 24/8/2022

​​​​​​The Proposal

This proposal seeks to restore 2.25 hectares of native Angasi oyster reefs at two sites in the Derwent Estuary and D'Entrecasteaux Channel. This will involve constructing patches of low-profile artificial reef at 8-12m depth, using around 1680 tonnes of quarried limestone. The reef patches will be seeded with hatchery-produced native flat oysters, settled on scallop shells. Over time, it is expected that the reefs will become colonised by the native Angasi oysters, thereby enhancing the associated ecological communities.

The two proposed reef sites are:

  • Dixons Beach, Taroona (Derwent Estuary) 
  • Helliwells Point,  Woodbridge (D'Entrecasteaux Channel)

The above proposal has been referred to the Board of the Environment Protection Authority (the Board) for assessment under Section 27 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994  (EMPC Act). An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been lodged in support.

Public Exhibition of Documentation

A copy of the EER and supporting documentation were made available for public inspection. The public consultation period has now closed. 

​Environmental Effects Report

The purpose of the EER is to provide a source of information upon which interested individuals, groups, government agencies and the Board may consider the environmental impacts of the proposal.

The EER was prepared by the proponent on the basis of the Project Specific Guidelines for preparation of an EER which were provided by the Board.

 NRM South Reef Builder EER (PDF 7Mb)

 NRM South Reef Builder EER - Appendices 1-4 (PDF 5Mb)

 NRM South Reef Builder EER - Appendix 5 (PDF 2Mb)

 NRM South Reef Builder EER - Appendix 6 (PDF 27Mb)

 NRM South Reef Builder EER - Appendices 7-12 (PDF 7Mb)

Environmental Assessment Report and EPA Decision

The environmental assessment report (EAR) has now been completed and can be viewed below. The report contains the permit conditions required by the Board to be included in the land use permit, if a permit is granted, by Council.

 NRM South Reef Builder - EAR (PDF 14Mb)