About this project
At GeoLINK we pride ourselves on being active participants in the communities where we work and live.
Every day we’re contributing through our work practices and our core values to make a positive impact on the environment and community. The passion and commitment of our team to make a difference in their communities is inspiring. We support them to do this through volunteering their time and skills, donating to causes important to them or providing pro bono professional services for projects aligned to our values and the benefit of the environment.
Two recent projects GeoLINK staff have worked on are quite varied. One will achieve positive social outcomes and the other favourable environmental results. But both are strongly supported by the local communities.
Corndale Hall
Corndale Hall was destroyed by flooding that impacted the Lismore area in February 2022. The hall had been the focus of the Corndale community since it was built in 1891, providing valuable social infrastructure to the community.
Replacing the hall was important to the community as it provided long-term socio-economic benefits. It was a central point used for many activities across all sections of the community. Community halls are important community assets, especially in rural and regional areas. They support gatherings, events, and celebrations, as well as being a point of contact for rural communities.
Construction of a new purpose-built community hall is vital for re-energising the badly effected community of Corndale. And it’s an important step in their recovery process.
With close ties to the community, GeoLINK took on the preparation of a Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) for construction of the new community hall as a pro bono project.
The proposed design for a new community hall and associated facilities for the village of Corndale fills a void left after the floods of 2022. The design of the hall reflects the building that was lost in the floods and as such celebrates its local historic significance. With approval now granted for construction we look forward to seeing this one come to life.
It is envisaged that the new community hall will fulfil a variety of functions and be a great benefit to the local area well into the future.
Living Seawall Port Macquarie
Shalise Leesfield is a young marine conservationist and scuba diver from Port Macquarie. Her organisation, ‘Shalise’s Ocean Support’, is working with ‘Living Seawalls’ to help bring the oceans back to life with 3D marine habitats in Port Macquarie. These ‘habitat tiles’ make artificial marine built structures more ecologically sustainable by creating a protective environment to help restore the rapidly declining rates of marine biodiversity.
Port Macquarie has marine construction including seawalls, pontoons, pilings and a large man-made marina. Development and urbanisation have resulted in the shorelines being dominated by artificial seawalls, which stabilise reclaimed land and protect property from inundation. However, these man-made seawalls can come at an ecological cost.
Harbour infrastructure is often smooth or featureless, making it difficult for small surface-dwelling organisms to take hold. Port Macquarie’s marine foreshore was built for recreational activities and to protect the shore, but these structures offer limited surface area for habitat and protection for marine organisms to flourish.
Living Seawalls can overcome this problem by supplementing or replacing artificial marine structures with 3D marine habitats featuring complex modular designs that mimic the natural environment.
Working in conjunction with Shalise, Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) proposes to install a series of ‘Living Seawall’ tiles on an existing wharf structure at 62 The Anchorage Port Macquarie as part of environmental management works.
The ‘Living Seawalls’ project involves the installation of ‘habitat tiles’ on the existing smooth and featureless wharf structure. The habitat tiles are 3D printed and feature a pattern design to attract fish, invertebrates and algae, thereby increasing habitat opportunities for local marine species.
GeoLINK became involved with the project when Shalise approached us for a quote to complete the necessary Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the project. Our enviro team decided to jump on board to help where we could on a pro bono basis. Unfortunately, the project is currently on hold due to cost constraints associated with the construction of the project. We hope Shalise can secure suitable grants and other support to see this great project come to fruition.
GeoLINK has now been operating for more than 30 years in regional NSW. With offices in Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Lennox Head, supporting our local communities remains an integral part of how we do business. Get in touch to find out more.