I am writing to propose the installation of a dual bubble barrier system in Throsby Creek to help reduce general plastic and microplastic pollution in the waterway.

Throsby Creek is currently being significantly affected by plastic waste such as bottles, packaging, and mostly microplastics that enter through stormwater drains and litter in the surrounding area. Much of this waste is carried downstream into Newcastle Harbour, where it harms fish and all types of marine life, while decreasing water quality, and also destroying the local environment.

A bubble barrier is a system which pumps air through a tube with holes installed on the riverbed. The wall of bubbles pushes all different plastic to the surface, ready to be collected in this collecting system. This system reduces plastic while boats and marine life can get past without any obstruction. Though I was thinking of doing a dual bubble barrier to make it more accurate. If we did 1 then it would catch around 80-90% (based on researched results). however if we do dual bubble barrier system it would catch an additional 20% which means together it would catch 90-95% of plastic.

This system would permanently reduce the amount of plastic reaching Newcastle Harbour. It also has very low impact on marine life, human activity while also being energy efficient and suitable for long term use. I think it would be most effective if we put a section between the industrial drive bridge and the Carrington mangroves.

This proposal draws upon published information on existing bubble barrier deployments and their proven effectiveness in intercepting aquatic debris in global river systems. It is not presented as a new invention, but changing it to a dual system would ensure there was a greater amount of plastics collected.

A cleaner creek would help protect marine life such as fish, turtles, and birds, and would also improve the appearance of the area for the community. It would demonstrate a practical and forward-thinking approach to managing pollution.

Thabks