Our places 
Chowder Bay
Today the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP officially unveiled Living Seawalls at Cockatoo Island / Wareamah. Fish, invertebrates and seaweed are among 150 marine species expected to flourish thanks to this pilot project and marine innovation.
This pilot project aligns as a first action from the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Master Plan to support Sydney Harbour's biodiversity and improve the rehabilitation of the waters around the island. The Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Master Plan is now published.
Addressing loss of marine biodiversity, Living Seawalls are 3D-printed tiles that replicate natural microhabitats, such as rockpools. By creating habitats for various marine species Living Seawalls can support the underwater environment and provide shelter and food sources for the marine life. Research has shown that Living Seawalls can boost marine biodiversity by up to 36% in Sydney Harbour.
Earlier this year, SIMS conducted a baseline study revealing a better-than-expected marine environment and sightings of an endangered White’s seahorse at the island for the first time. This discovery led to installation of seahorse hotels on the Eastern Apron of Cockatoo Island / Wareamah providing habitats for local seahorse populations and other marine life.
Located next to the public ferry wharf, the Living Seawalls and beautiful signage help raise awareness about marine conservation, encouraging visitors to engage with and learn about marine ecosystems.
For more information on the Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Marine Restoration Pilot Project, visit the project page.
The Cockatoo Island / Wareamah Master Plan is Harbour Trust’s long-term vision of place for the island's reactivation as the heart of Western Sydney Harbour. It brings together the island's layered history with new visitor experiences, adaptive reuse and staged transformation over time.
