Who are we?

The Hunter Surf Industry Cluster Inc. is a Not for Profit ,Non Government Organisation that has as its charter the research and development of sustainable use of the coast and its environs for commerce,employment,recreation and with a holistic view for protection of the environment.

It was incorporated after a study completed by the University of Newcastle showed that in 1998 the overall Hunter coastal zone and those that engage in coastal activities for commerce and recreation employed about 400 and the total turn-over was about  $38m. At the time that did not include boating activity.

Finding self funding sustainable solutions to the cross-over areas of interest for all associated with Marine activities is foremost in our aspirations. Our members include some 400+  years of cumulative professional experience in all the professions and skills required for Marine/ Civil/ Structural/ Coastal  -engineering, Fluvial Process,  Geomorphological , Marine understanding, research and development.

The low cost dredging initiative "BARBUSTERS" is the result of consultation  and cooperation between us ,the Hunter Boat Owners Association,Lake Macquarie City Council Coast & Eastuary Management Commitee ,the Taree Branch of the BOA.  All the stakeholders and affected  of the Old bar -Manning River closure have been  particularly  helpfull. The Lake Macquarie Coast & Eastuary Management Commitee has  government, non-goverment and community stakeholders represented on it. The Minister of Defence , Dr Brendon Nelson has authorised the loan of some ex-military craft to act as the research platforms.

It follows on from a successful research project at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow- UK that caused the method to be adopted UK  then world wide for major and minor port maintenance causing a minor revolution in cost reduction. (see downloads).

Major ports known to use the method include Strathcyde, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Botany Bay, Wollongong , Rotterdam, major Ports of the underdeveloped world ( where the low cost initiative was origionally badly needed and where the researcher came from) and just about every other port in the world that needs low cost bed levelling done as a means of regular maintenance.

A comment by the supervisor of the research was of more than surprise that it had taken so long for general use  "down under" to be investigated as the method "had swept the UK". :). it has since been learnt that John Riddell is held in high esteem amongst the worlds dredging and port community.

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