Next time you stroll along Sydney’s waterfront, take a moment to appreciate the hidden ecosystems thriving on those once-grey walls—a testament to collaboration, vision, and the power of female-led initiatives
Seawalls, those concrete barriers that protect our shores from erosion and rising tides, have long been seen as necessary but ecologically sterile structures. The Living Seawalls project challenges this perception. By installing specially designed panels on existing seawalls, the project creates habitat niches for marine organisms. These panels mimic natural rock surfaces, providing attachment points for algae, molluscs, and other marine life. In turn, these tiny pioneers attract larger species like fish and crabs, transforming the once barren walls into thriving ecosystems.
This innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. The Living Seawalls project won the NSW Banksia Biodiversity Award in 2021 and the National Award in 2022. The winners of the NSW Banksia Awards are part of a unique NSW alumni group that fosters opportunities for collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing. This community allows award recipients to visit each other’s winning projects, exchange experiences, and build valuable connections, further amplifying the impact of their ground breaking work.
As a participant, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. It is refreshing to be part of an awards event that actively promotes teamwork and mutual benefit among its winners. This initiative not only celebrates individual achievements but also encourages collective growth and innovation, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
This week, the alumni gathered at Barangaroo, our world-class waterfront precinct in Sydney. Led by Professor Melanie Bishop, co-founder of Living Seawalls and a prominent coastal ecologist, this project aims to enhance marine biodiversity along urban coastlines by integrating nature-inspired designs into man-made structures.
Professor Melanie Bishop
From Waterman’s Cove, we boarded the ferry to East Balmain where we viewed a Living Seawall funded by private philanthropy. Professor Bishop shared more about the project’s origins and growth. Living Seawalls began as a research project, aiming to address the issue of biodiversity loss due to oceanic construction. Decades of small-scale experiments, often involving 20 by 20-centimetre panels with crevices and ridges, demonstrated that adding protective spaces to structures enhanced biodiversity. These experiments were part of the World Harbor Project, which included 26 sites globally and consistently showed that protective spaces were crucial for marine life.
Frustrated by the lack of real-world application, Professor Bishop and her team, including industrial designer Alex Goad from Reef Design Lab, scaled up their efforts. They secured a grant from the New South Wales government to develop a system for larger-scale installations, beginning with pilot sites in Sydney Harbour. Despite initial challenges with permits and scepticism, the successful installations drew attention and demand from various stakeholders.
The project has since leveraged its global research network to expand, with installations in Plymouth, UK, and upcoming projects in Boston Harbor. Other philanthropic supporters, such as the Lim Sutton initiative, have also been instrumental in helping Living Seawalls to scale.
The Harding Miller Foundation, which promotes educational opportunities for girls and was particularly interested in supporting the Living Seawalls female-led team.
The Harding Miller Foundation, founded by Kim Harding and Irene Miller, has a clear mission: to empower girls through education. Their commitment extends beyond traditional classrooms. When they learned about the Living Seawalls project, they recognised an opportunity to support both marine conservation and female-led scientific endeavours.
The Harding Miller Foundation played a crucial role by providing funding for the proof-of-concept work using small-scale experimental panels that provided the evidence base for scaling up. They were also strong advocates to the council for panel installation at Thornton Park, Balmain East. This support was instrumental in leveraging the NSW Environmental Trust Grant that funded the existing Balmain East installation. A NSW Recreational Fishing Trust Grant helps fund the monitoring and evaluation.
Here’s how the Harding Miller Foundation involvement unfolded:
- Collaboration and Vision: The foundation collaborated closely with the Living Seawalls team and the Inner West Council. Their vision aligned perfectly with the project’s goals: to create sustainable habitats while fostering educational opportunities.
- Thornton Park in Balmain: The foundation’s generous support enabled the installation of habitat panels along the seawall at Thornton Park in Balmain, a picturesque waterfront location. Here, the Harding Miller Foundation’s commitment to girls’ education intersected with environmental stewardship.
- Beyond Balmain: The impact of their support extends beyond a single seawall. The Living Seawalls initiative has expanded to various locations across Sydney, including Milsons Point, Sawmillers Reserve, Blues Point, Clontarf, Fairlight, and Rushcutters Bay. The ongoing success owes much to continued philanthropic partnerships, including that of the Harding Miller Foundation.
The foundation’s interest in supporting female-led teams is evident in their endorsement of the Living Seawalls project. By backing a venture that combines science, engineering, and environmental conservation, they empower women to make a tangible difference. The project’s female scientists, engineers, and marine biologists exemplify the impact of gender diversity in STEM fields.
As the Harding Miller Foundation continues to champion educational opportunities for girls, their involvement in the Living Seawalls project serves as a beacon of hope. It reminds us that philanthropy can transcend traditional boundaries, creating a ripple effect that benefits our planet
From Balmain, the alumni continued their journey to the Australian National Maritime Museum, where Living Seawalls’ ecologically informed designs are showcased. This exhibition aims to spread the word that coastal structures can benefit both humans and nature. By integrating science, design, and conservation, these projects highlight how urban development and ecological health can coexist harmoniously, inspiring future innovations in coastal management. It was a fitting conclusion to a day filled with learning and collaboration, reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Next time you stroll along Sydney’s waterfront, take a moment to appreciate the hidden ecosystems thriving on those once-gray walls—a testament to collaboration, vision, and the power of female-led initiatives
Thank you to Dr. Melanie Bishop, Australian National Maritime Museum and the Banksia Foundation for making this fascinating tour possible .
Learn more about the NSW Alumni visit to the Living Seawalls project here
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Watch the video to learn more about the fascinating project