About CCARP - Central Coast Artificial Reef ProjectAbout The Central Coast Artificial Reef Project - CCARPCCARP is a non-profit organisation formed with representatives from two well established NSW Central Coast dive clubs and supporting Dive Operators. The sole objective of CCARP is to establish one or more diveable artificial reefs on the NSW Central Coast. CCARP was originally created with the aim of lobbying the Commonwealth and NSW governments for acquisition of the decommissioned destroyer HMAS Brisbane. For a number of years the Australian Federal Government has had a policy of ceding to the states its warships as they become surplus to requirements and are decommissioned. The states in turn have sunk these vessels, suitably cleaned and prepared, in various locations as artificial reefs for the benefit of local, national and international traveling SCUBA divers and to develop a more diverse marine habitat. HMAS Brisbane was originally gifted to Queensland, however that states Government formally declined the offer several times until accepting the warship late in 2002. HMAS Canberra / HMAS AdelaideSince the loss of HMAS Brisbane, CCARP has considered several options to create a significant artificial reef for the NSW Central Coast, mainly by acquiring derelict or impounded vessels. In 2006, the NSW Government announced a formal bid for the decommissioned Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigate; HMAS Canberra but it was announced later in the year that Victoria was to receive this ship. Despite these setbacks, there have been encouraging developments. If NSW is a successful bidder for a future decommissioned navy vessel, the State Government is on record promising it will be sunk on the Central Coast. Additionally, NSW will be given exclusive rights to bid for the next available ship, the Escort Frigate HMAS Adelaide. Successful Bid for HMAS Adelaide - News ReleaseThe Australian Government has accepted the NSW Government bid to sink HMAS Adelaide off Terrigal as a dive wreck, two Federal members have revealed today. Member for Robertson Jim Lloyd said both he and Member for Dobell Ken Ticehurst had worked for a very long time to secure a dive wreck for the Central Coast, calling the HMAS Adelaide an “enormous boost to tourism”. Mr Ticehurst said the wreckage would open the door to a unique international tourism market and would attract divers from all over the world to the Central Coast.“As a dive-wreck, the HMAS Adelaide will be a significant addition to the number of tourist attractions available in the region with the further advantage of being just one hour north of Australia’s tourism capital of Sydney,” Mr Ticehurst said. Mr Lloyd thanked all involved in getting the Central Coast a dive wreck, particularly the Central Coast Artificial Reef Project committee, whose members had “worked very hard for a number of years and never gave up despite so many setbacks”. Following Victoria’s winning bid last year for the HMAS Canberra, Mr Lloyd initiated discussions between the Australian Government and the NSW Premiers Department. Following that meeting, the NSW Government was given exclusivity to bid for the HMAS Adelaide and the Australian Government also offered to ‘pay off’ the ship in either Sydney or Newcastle “saving NSW a considerable amount of expense”. The pair also congratulated the NSW Government on their successful bid and thanked the Central Coast community for the ongoing support in securing a dive wreck for the Central Coast. Source: email, James Larsson, Department of Transport and Regional Services, February 8, 2007 |
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Congrats all round... |
And could we have the rest
of the CCARP Committee in the shot please... |
For further information about HMAS Adelaide,
please visit the RAN Website, Adelaide page
or the Official Government site - www.hmasadelaide.com
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A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT
The CCARP committee wishes to publicly thank everyone involved with the successful bid for HMAS Adelaide. Although there is still much to be done the effort that many people have put in so far is nothing short of tremendous. Special thanks to parliamentarians Jim Lloyd and Ken Ticehurst for their determination to secure a dive wreck for the Central Coast. Our state and local government representatives who helped us out and the tireless efforts of dedicated people who just refused to give up.
We would like to take this opportunity to remember Barry Dawson, founding member of the Central Coast Artificial Reef Project who passed away in December 2006, sadly before learning of CCARP's eventual success.
We wish the best of luck to other artificial reef groups in NSW and interstate with their endeavours to acquire suitable vessels. We can certainly offer useful advice if asked but after over five years of sheer hard work and many many disappointing failures, the Adelaide is not going to get away from us this time without a fight!
CCARP OBJECTIVES
CCARP is fully committed to achieving the following objectives:
- To gain the full support of the Federal and NSW Governments, NSW Central Coast Councils and other relevant bodies to acquire suitable ships, aircraft or other structures suitable for use as diveable artificial reefs
- Identify the modifications necessary to make the ship safe for diver access
- Undertake seabed surveys to determine a suitable site off the NSW Central Coast
- After reef is created, continue to work with the community, researchers and authorities to ensure the reef remains viable as a safe diving site and marine habitat
CCARP is supported by:
PROGRESS TO DATE:
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SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIESCCARP has received in-principle support from the following Federal, State and Local Government authorities and entities.
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