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Sydney Institute of Marine Science Wins the 2021 NSW Biodiversity Award

Published on: February 2022

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-122134

Sydney Institute of Marine Science Wins the 2021 NSW Biodiversity Award

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)

—Speaker, I congratulate the Sydney Institute of Marine Science [SIMS] on winning the 2021 NSW Biodiversity Award for their Living Seawalls research program. The Living Seawalls program involves embedding ecologically enhancing structures within the manmade infrastructure built in our waters to support the marine life and ecosystem of the area. Manmade infrastructure has often been quite damaging to our marine life; through blending science, engineering, and creativity SIMS has developed these seawalls to help combat this problem which has revolutionised the approach to development in marine areas. 3D printing technology is used to create customisable panels that mimic the crevices and shapes of natural shorelines which can be fitted to new or existing marine development. The success of Living Seawalls has expanded beyond Sydney Harbour where it was first used, to currently being utilised across 3 different continents. The program was also a top 3 finalist in the inaugural Earthshot Prize. Congratulations again to the entire team at SIMS, who are based in Mosman, for this deserved achievement. I thank you for all the amazing work you do for our local and wider community.