The Hon. Lucy Hood, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water (SA), Media Release, 21 January 2026

Preparations for a large-scale limestone shellfish reef – the first delivered under the Malinauskas Government’s Summer Plan – are underway on the Yorke Peninsula, in one of the biggest marine restoration projects ever undertaken in South Australia.

The project will create an environment where native oysters can grow into a natural reef to support a healthy ocean and the long-term recovery from the algal bloom.

The new reef is expected to cover an area of about 16 hectares and be located north of Stansbury.

It will be built using large limestone boulders and other sustainable material, which will create stable foundations for native oysters to settle and grow.

The Government is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to deliver the new reef, using the group’s extensive experience to help restore the state’s lost shellfish reefs – largely destroyed by the early 1900s through dredging and overharvesting.

The global not-for-profit has restored reefs in South Australia since 2018 at Windara Reef off Ardrossan, Glenelg, O’Sullivan Beach and Kangaroo Island.

The $10 million investment towards the new reef is part of the comprehensive $102.5 million Summer Plan which includes more than $37 million in environmental resilience, research and monitoring.

Consultation with industry, community groups and Traditional Owners in the first half of this year will guide the reef’s exact location and size, with construction scheduled to occur in late 2027 following approvals.

Native oysters play a vital role in filtering excess nutrients from the water and helping to naturally clean and improve ocean health. As their shells accumulate, they also create complex habitat used by fish, crabs and other marine life.

Restored reefs can also support recreational and nature-based activities, including fishing, diving and citizen science.

The large-scale limestone shellfish reef is in addition to the 25 community-built oyster reefs being rolled out across the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas and Kangaroo Island through the Summer Plan.

Quotes attributable to Lucy Hood

Rebuilding our lost shellfish reefs is a central part of the algal bloom recovery, providing filter-feeding infrastructure to support healthy and resilient ecosystems.

We have put our foot to the floor delivering the Summer Plan and the new large-scale reef in the waters off Yorke Peninsula is another massive milestone underway.

A single adult oyster can filter up to 100 litres of water per day, improving water quality, and providing habitat for other marine species.

By collaborating with internationally regarded The Nature Conservancy and consulting with local communities and industry, we are working together to deliver outcomes so all South Australians can continue to enjoy their coastal environment. 

Quotes attributable to Dr Eddie Game, Lead Scientist, The Nature Conservancy Asia Pacific

TNC has been leading shellfish reef restoration on a global scale for more than 30 years.

We’ve pioneered the science and have the track record to rebuild these reefs at the scale required to help our oceans recover and build resilience. 

Monitoring across Australia shows that these reefs have become self-sustaining ecosystems within only a few years, and we’ve recently been honoured by the UN as Australia’s first World Restoration Flagship for this work.

Quotes attributable to Lara Gallagher, Country Director, The Nature Conservancy Australia

Shellfish reefs are ecological powerhouses, fuelled by the humble oyster.

Restoring these important ecosystems also restores the many benefits healthy living reefs bring – improved water clarity and quality, providing vital habitat for hundreds of marine species and bolstering fish populations.

Quotes attributable to Narungga Nation representative Garry Goldsmith

The Narungga Nations Aboriginal Corporation and Narungga community are very pleased of the commitment to restore part of the natural ecosystem that our people have utilised for thousands of years.

This project underpins our core values of caring for country and will provide further opportunities to our Narungga and wider Yorke Peninsula community. We look forward to working with all stakeholders throughout this project to ensure its success.