A floating farm – the concept is about to solve a whole lot of problems. Check this out, says Nicole Buckler.
The floating farm will be a different kind of farmer’s market!
Farmland Potential
Going into the future, we are going to need a whole lot more farmland to feed all these mouths in the world. Or, maybe not.
A floating farm might just be the answer. This is not science fiction, according to the boffins who designed it. It is completely viable. It won’t solve all of humanity’s hunger problems or replace existing traditional agriculture; but it can complement existing production methods to help reduce food supply risk.
As a commercial real estate investment, these are intriguing. The design is impressive. Vegetables will grow in the middle level. Under the water will be a fish farm, and on the very top they will position solar panels to power the farm and to desalinate the water.
The plan? To plonk these floating farms close to where food is needed. Fully automated, the farms will run themselves. They will be located close to many mega-cities with water access. Places like the Gold Coast, Dublin, Belfast, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Mumbai, Jakarta, Cairo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney.
The floating farm complex will be sustainable and also provide food for nearby populations.
Floating Farm Green Power
The project uses a combination of technologies that already exist. At the top level, the solar panels will produce the power for the next level. The second level is the hydroponic farm. The fish on the lowest level will be fed using waste from the hydroponic farm. The hydroponic farm will be fertilised using the waste from the fish. This makes it a closed-loop system. Desalinated water can be used to hydrate the crops. It is self-contained genius.
The three levels of the floating farm.
Waves and Challenges
Big waves could come along to spoil everyone’s fun. A series of inflatable wave protectors will protect the structure. According to the designers at Smart Floating Farms, “The project is made of well-tested materials, technologies, and systems, which are already in use around the globe. The SFF footprint is rectangular, like Asia’s traditional grid-shape fish floating farms. It is an efficient configuration which allows maximum space for production.”
The floating farm could also house a fish restaurant. Yum!
The floating barges could have the potential to be more complex: they could actually be production centres, making a finished product ready for the supermarket. To achieve this, they could process the fish and crops into a market-ready form on site, upping the profits.
The company who came up with the idea says that just one “smart farm” could bust out around 8 tonnes of vegetables and 1.7 tonnes of fish every year. And, the farm would pay for itself within 10 years. I’m sure many of us are hoping there will be a fresh fish restaurant onsite as well. Better book early, people, there’s bream straight from the ocean to be had.
Elephants are epic. If you want to get up close and personal with elephants without riding them or annoying them, then this is the experience you are looking for, says Nicole Buckler..
Editor-in-Chief Nicole Buckler with her new BFF
When I was much younger, I went to Thailand and rode elephants. I immediately regretted it. The elephants appeared to be treated well, but I felt so sorry for them. They probably walked the same forest loop multiple times a day, while people like me sat in an annoying basket on their neck. I couldn’t bear it.
If you too are uncomfortable for using animals for entertainment, then have I got a holiday experience for you. There is a new sanctuary in Thailand that takes in sick and old elephants, and pampers them all day long – and as a paying visitor you get to do it too! These elephants have had a hard life as taxis for tourists, or as workers in the forests, moving logs for humans. Or they could have had other jobs, such as on building sites in the city, or as entertainers in circuses
Happy Elephants
Some of the elephants are old and can’t work as hard as they used to: some are blind. Some are young but injured, so can’t be used in the usual commercial ways. But now, in their golden years, they are looked after in the sanctuary. The haven is funded by tourists coming to visit, to feed them, to pamper them, to hug them.
At the sanctuary the elephants are allowed to roam free. When you first arrive, you must walk through the humid jungle to find them. But this is joy in itself: the jungle is teeming with life: cicadas pierce of eardrums, birds sing to you, and an occasional monkey will swing above you. It is sweaty work tracking them down, but the life here is beautifully deafening. These elephants are living the good life. There’s no riding allowed, and the elephants are not required to work for a living.
Searching for the elephants in a sweaty jungle. What an adventure!
I brought my family along to the sanctuary and this is the best experience I have had dragging my kids across the earth with me. They loved it, and still talk about it nearly a year later.
Elephants Love Bananas
Each elephant has its own mahout, who lives and even sometimes sleeps with the elephant. Their bond is very close. The mahouts meet you in the forest, and hand you a bag of bananas. So, you get to feed the elephants as you first greet them. They adore bananas, so they soon adore you!
Giving the elephants some bananas and some love
This activity gets you used to being around them, and you’ll probably need this adjustment period! They are really quite big in person, and it can be overwhelming and a little scary. But the elephants are very aware of where humans are all the time, and have an amazing ability to never hurt you or squash you.
Found the elephants! Now to feed them one million bananas.
After you have fed them, you get to lead them to the river. You’ll need to strip down to your swimsuit, because things get messy: You give the elephants a mud massage. This is hugely fun! You get really, really muddy as you rub the elephants down and massage their wrinkly skin. You can tell right away they love this; they make strange noises in pleasure!
The elephants absolutely love the mud massages. We are like their mud slaves.
Swim Time
Then they are led to the water, where you can wash the mud off them, and swim with them. My kids are 10 and 12; the elephant was very delicate around them. Even in the deep water, the elephant was aware of where they were all the time. Plus the mahout swims with the elephant, just to solve any problems that may arise.
Washing off the mud and then swimming with the elephants was one of the best experiences in our lives.
Swimming with elephants was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, I actually cried a little! The elephants showed obvious enjoyment in the experience, and so did we! After the swim, we learned about their diet, and did some food prep for the mahouts.
We made their food, a mash of tamarind, honey and medicinal leaves.
After preparing elephant snacks, we hand-fed the elephants. This was an amazing experience. We felt very bonded with these large, gentle creatures by the end of the day. The elephants let my kids hug them, pat them, and talk to them. They were definitely homies by sunset. If you are in this part of the world, do not miss this experience.
The elephants are now BFFs with my kids.
Getting There
The sanctuary is located in the province of Krabi, on west side of Thailand. From Bangkok, you can get a domestic flight to Krabi, an overnight train, or a bus. If you book a tour with the sanctuary, they will pick you up from your accommodation, as long as you are within the catchment zone. If not, then a private car and driver is cheap to hire for the day. Happy elephanting!
A perfect break is a money spinner. So let’s add it into our investment mix. Editor-in-Chief Nicole Buckler argues for a perfect wave.
There are ways to attract visitors to an area, like casinos, restaurants, nightlife and adventure parks. But let’s not forget about the reason why people were attracted to the Gold Coast to begin with, before development even began. It was a surfer’s paradise.
The Spit rejuvenation plan has been received with excitement by Gold Coasters. But, we are all worried about over-development and having the area turned into a burnt-out overrun tip. I get the struggle. I am a nature lover at heart. If you come near my turtles with your straws, I will maim you with my pencil IN. YO. FACE.
That said, we all need jobs. We need to keep developing our city to make sure tourists and other Australians keep coming here with their wallets. It is great living in a stunningly beautiful place, with epic weather. But reality says that we need to make it work for us so that we can make a life for ourselves here. It’s balancing the two competing factors of protecting nature and making it work for us that separates the good mayors from the scoundrels. All we have to do is listen to environmental scientists and take their advice very seriously while creating our liveable utopias. Several fascinating studies have come out recently which speak about how profitable natural phenomena can be to a local economy. So, let’s talk about the one that directly applies to our area: A good wave break.
A Perfect Break
A recent study has shown (to our delight) that good surf breaks create economic growth. The study analysed 5,000 surf breaks globally. Not only did they discover that a good surf break meant an immediate jump in tourism and profits – they also discovered that if the break was destroyed, that the area would decline economically almost right away.
Perfect Break
The researchers analysed satellite images of night-time lights as a ‘proxy’ for economic growth. The lights increased after a new break was discovered and the word got out. A high-quality surf break boosted growth by 2.2 percentage points per year.
The Research
Dr Sam Wills, of the University of Sydney’s School of Economics was the researcher in question. He wanted to escape the cold and go on a surfing holiday. “I looked for somewhere warm and sunny with good waves. I settled on Taghazout in Morocco, thinking it would be quiet. Flying in at sunset over the desert I noticed that everything was dark, except for one little spot that was lit up like Pitt Street: Taghazout. Once I arrived, I realised that this previously sleepy little fishing village had been overrun by surfers, and so I wanted to figure out whether it was systematically happening around the world.”
It was. It’s well understood that natural features like rivers and fertile soil matter for economic growth, but this research shows that natural amenities are just as valuable.
Researchers also investigated two locations where surf breaks were removed and found that nearby economies shrink when this occurs. A break at Jardim do Mar, Portugal, was removed though the construction of a coastal road, while another at Mundaka, Spain, disappeared after a river mouth was dredged.
The paper suggests that building or taking care of existing surf breaks can create jobs. And in tandem, protecting environmental quality is a must. But there is a way to do both on the Gold Coast: by building artificial reefs.
Artificial Reefs
As we all know by now, Palm Beach will soon be home to an artificial reef, work started last April. The $18.2 million project is being built primarily to protect the beach and stop the sand from being constantly washed away. But it is hoped that it will actually create more surfable weaves. The perfect break. Also, once established, the reef will be a haven for wildlife. Local surfers have divided opinions on wave creation: some say it will work and others doubt the possibilities. We will soon find out!
The Spit redevelopers hope to create an artificial reef using sculptures, which I am super-excited about. But while we are creating reefs, why not throw a few more into the mix and make the Spit a surfing haven? Let’s build a guaranteed perfect break or two. I would really love policy-makers to feel this idea. Reefs are often built to protect beaches, so, why not make ones that would not only stop erosion and protect infrastructure, but as an added bonus, could create consistently perfect waves?
Many “perfect break spots” all over the world owe their existence to developments along coastal areas that were built without the wave breaks even in mind. “The Wedge” in California is an example: It was created after a wall was built to ensure boats could get into the harbour safely.
Perfect Break
The Perfect Break
Artificial surfing reefs have been topical for the past few years all over the world. So we can definitely have the conversation for the Spit development. Oceanographers all over the world are trying to perfect a system that will see the perfect break appear every single day. There’s a good foundation of knowledge as to how to change the ocean floors to affect a wave break. It’s an exciting idea.
Standard beach waves can be unpredictable: waves can change as sandbanks move around. But waves breaking off solid, established reefs are the best going: They are consistent, and look the same 20 years ago as they do today – as long as the reef remains protected and intact.
Here’s the bad news: Artificial reefs are expensive. But let’s start seeing this as an investment, rather than a cost. The future benefits will make them more than worth it. I’m ready to put my taxes against this uncertain utopia, how about you?
Expensive doesn’t quite cover it. While most of us can’t even afford to look in the window of this place, someone may just have the $20 million needed to buy this shack and call it home. Nicole Buckler checks it out.
Known as the Gold Coast’s finest trophy home, this hut has quite the price tag. The $35m cost of building this place far exceeds the price is it selling for ($20m). But if you are wealthy enough to build a house for $35m, then weathering a $15m loss on property is probably just how you roll.
This house has been on and off the market over the past few years, once with an asking price exceeding $30m. But now, there’s bargains to be had, with a new price drop of $10m. The home is owned by German super yacht builder Klaus Lilischkies and his wife Leigh. Obsessed with build-quality as a career, they have also held the same standards for the home.
This supermarket of a mansion is located at 7-13 King Arthurs Court, on Sovereign Islands – a gated community, famous for its extravagant homes.
This particular McPalace is named “Château de Rêves” which translates as “Castle of Dreams.” Even if I was rich, I would lie in bed at night and dream about the electricity bill. It occupies a 3,070sqm waterfront piece of land with an 85-metre frontage of uninterrupted southerly views of the Broadwater and skyline. So you can see all of the people who are definitely poorer than you.
Constructed in 2001, this 3000sqm home took three years to complete. It has seven bedrooms, all with their own ensuite for your VIPoo, two studies, two kitchens, staff quarters and multiple recreational facilities, like a tennis court and an indoor/outdoor pool. The pool features 24ct gold detail in the tiling. Of course it does. They better not invite me over. I’d hack the gold off and put it in my pocket. And so would you.
Of course, there is a spa, a Turkish steam room and a massage room. Sounds like the perfect place to hold a champagne reception for the Queen – or a wild orgy. It’s the Gold Coast, only the second option is truly likely.
Featuring German technology, it was designed with longevity in mind. It took 3 years to construct and is now 20 years old. It was built with marine-grade materials throughout and is fully sustainable. There is even a generator in case the power goes down. Plus, a desalination plant for making your own water. When the nukes hit the Gold Coast, these people will be the only ones still alive. And their servants. I’d better apply for a job as one.
Inside, you’ll see Venetian Murano glass, an Italian imported timber balustrade, Botticino marble floors and an extravagant staircase designed and manufactured in Italy, and shipped in one piece. But it has to be said – dare I say it? The place looks like an early 1990s nightclub. The way Cocktails and Dreams looked circa 1991. Cringe.
Cosmetically, it isn’t everyone’s taste. But the build quality is. The open-plan kitchen on the first level is opulently designed and features a custom made teppanyaki table, white Thassos marble benchtops and stainless-steel Miele appliances. A second professional kitchen on the lower level, has commercial grade appliances. For when you never cook, have fired all your staff in an awkward rage, and then you have to order pizza.
It also has a full-service bar, a 16-seat formal dining room, and a formal living room. It also has a fireplace, for those two nights a year on the Gold Coast that it gets just warm – rather than so blisteringly hot that you want to peel your own skin off. And of course, it has a full wine cellar, for all of those wines that you’ll drink just because they were expensive and European and you can’t think what else to do with them.
It has it’s own Red Room of Pain… joke! It’s a gym. I think.
The master suite, which takes in the spectacular water views, has a lavish custom-designed rotating bed. Yep. For the orgy. No one who has been married for any length of time cares about a rotating bed. All it does is make you feel seasick and you’ve had enough of that from your boat. And of course, there is a 9sqm dedicated shoe wardrobe. I mean, I guess in this lifestyle you need a lot of boat shoes. It’s probably quite serious.
The place also has a 14-car basement garage. For your 14 cars. And you don’t even have to climb a single step to get to your 14 vehicles. A lift to all levels will take you there. During the ride, you can decide which of your wildly depreciating vehicles you will take out for a spin to get that pizza.
Of course, there is a private full-size pontoon to which you can moor your boat. In this expensive boat, you can enjoy bridge-free access to the Pacific Ocean. A person who has made their fortune from boatbuilding would settle for no less. But why would you even leave this house? There’s enough expensive desalinated water and wine to last you at least two decades. Nope, I’m staying home and ordering that pizza.
Maybe you’d prefer buying a waterfall? If not, you can perve all over the video here and then contact Sotheby’s.
A new reef robot is spreading coral babies on the Great Barrier Reef. And why should Gold Coasters take note? This “coral IVF” technology could be used off our own shores. The artificial reefs planned for the Gold Coast will start construction very soon.
A reef-building robot recently acted as a ‘mother’ to hundreds of millions of baby corals in a special delivery event. The ‘baby delivery’ was timed to coincide with the annual coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef. The underwater robot – LarvalBot – was made by QUT’s robotics team, led by Professor Matthew Dunbabin.
The LarvalBot
Robot Spawner
Scientists began the project by collecting hundreds of millions of coral spawn. But this was only from coral that has survived the two recent bleaching events. That is, larva that are heat-tolerant. This is because many scientists think heat can be blamed for the 2016 coral deaths on the Great Barrier Reef. The collected spawn are left to grow into baby corals in large floating enclosures on the reef. Once developed (in around 5–7 days), the semi-autonomous robot is loaded up with the baby corals. It then spurts them onto target reefs.
LarvalBot has the advantage of speed. It has been shooting out ‘larval clouds’ on damaged reefs on a larger scale than any other method ever before.
Robot Squirting
Professor Dunbabin is working with Southern Cross University’s Professor Peter Harrison. Harrison is a pioneer of the coral larval restoration technique. “We concentrate the larvae and put some of these into LarvalBot to gently squirt the larvae onto dead reef areas allowing it to settle. The surviving corals will start to grow and bud and form new colonies. These will grow large enough after about three years to become sexually reproductive and complete the life cycle.”
Divers helping the baby coral to grow.
The spectacular synchronised spawning of coral reproduction on the Great Barrier Reef is a highlight on scientists’ calendars worldwide. It takes place in late November. The researchers say by giving nature a helping hand through artificial means, it allows a 100-times increase over previous methods. Delivering baby corals is another win for underwater robots. This same pioneering technology was also used to control the crown-of-thorns starfish. With two artificial reefs planned for the Gold Coast, the potential to use these robots to build underwater sanctuaries on the Gold Coast is exciting.
Divers looking after the baby coral
Said Professor Harrison, “With further research and refinement, this technique has enormous potential to operate across large areas of reef and multiple sites in a way that hasn’t previously been possible. We’ll be closely monitoring the progress of settled baby corals over coming months and working to refine both the technology and the technique to scale up further into 2019.”
Hiri Corals
A company that can help to build reefs on the Gold Coast is Hiri Corals. They aim to restore coral reefs around the world. Says Co-Founder Debora Kocak, “We would love to be a part of the Gold Coast reef building projects. Currently, we would need the green light from the Gold Coast council to potentially plant on the artificial reef.”
Rebuilding reefs in Papua New Guinea
Hiri is a profit-for-purpose company. The mission is to bring coral conservation to as many people as possible. Says Kocak, “Our main focus is on running training programs in rural coastal areas in the Pacific, and around Australia, about the importance of coral to the actual planting of it. We run groups through each process in an easy-to-understand program. By the end of it, they are easily able to tackle their own conservation projects. Another benefit to our training is that we help them find ways to re-use materials that may be lying around the village or coastal area – PVC pipes, old fishing lines, metal rods. These can be made into frames onto which coral fragments are attached. So we help a little with recycling – however, we are quite picky about which materials we allow them to use so that we don’t damage the ocean.
Upcycling materials to use as a reef foundation
Local Projects
“So far, we have received opportunities abroad to restore coral and to work with communities in developing countries. However, we have yet to complete a project locally!”
Gold Coast residents can get involved in a unique coral experience through Hiri. “We work with local dive shops, surf camps, resorts and more to offer half and full day excursions. You can learn all about the importance of coral, the planting process, build eco-friendly frames, and contribute to the cause.”
Implanting the reef babies back into the ocean.
Reef Value
As a foundation species of the ocean, coral provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms. Coral combat climate change by assisting in carbon and nitrogen fixing. Over half a billion people depend on coral for food, income and protection. The net economic value of the world’s coral reefs is estimated to be 300+ billions of dollars a year. For example, the Great Barrier Reef generates more than 1.5 billion dollars every year for the Australian economy. Also, reefs are beautiful. They provide spectacular diving and snorkelling spots that allow you enter the colourful world of the sea. There are over 2,500 types of coral hosting millions of species of marine life. In conclusion, reefs are known as “rainforests of the sea,” and cover less than 1% of the ocean. But they are home to almost 25% of all known marine species.
