Balmain Foreshore Project - Living Seawalls

This week we picked up some Living Seawall panels to install on school property as part of the Balmain Foreshore Project.

​A section of our school property, along the water’s edge allows public access to the Bay Walk and is a thoroughfare accessed by members of the public. The project provides a unique opportunity for our school to contribute to environmental sustainability, teach students about their community responsibilities, and inform the public about environmental issues affecting the local community.

​As part of this project, earlier in the year, students heard from the Aria Lee, Project Manager of Living Seawalls who told students about the research and development behind the concept of Living Seawalls, the locations where they can be found around Sydney Harbour and globally, and the ecological benefits of Living Seawalls.

A few months ago our Balmain Foreshore Project team was excited to receive a substantial Westconnex Community Grant for continuation of the Balmain Foreshore Project. As part of the Westconnex Grant, funds have been allocated to purchase and install Living Seawall panels on the seawall on school property in an attempt to improve water quality and encourage greater biodiversity in the local waterway. Prior to installation we will be collecting baseline data to identify the diversity of species currently inhabiting the seawall, and we intend to set up a longitudinal study to investigate change over time in species diversity.