Hemp advocate Paul Benhaim says the use of hemp plastic has been successful in holding back the tides in places like Holland, but no-one in this country is taking notice.

‘Artificial reefs can be constructed with a prescribed degradable rate,’ Mr Benhaim  told The Echo, ‘and by the time the area has been restored, the material has dissolved and become part of the environment.’

Mr Benhaim says he has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to gain government interest with what could be a solution for coastal erosion problems. 

‘The solution is proven in Europe, and I would have thought the local, state or national representatives would have at least reviewed or asked for further information.’

When The Echo spoke to Council’s General Manager Graeme Faulkner, he said Council accepts all unsolicited information and has two weeks in which to respond.

He recommended if a person would like to speak to a council employee that they should make an appointment.

‘Staff are often out on inspections and attending customer and community meetings,’ said Mr Faulkner, who also noted that Council was currently in the process of recruiting for the position of Coastal Officer.

Hemp Plastic is an affordable bio-based natural fibre composite that can replace oil- based raw materials, according to Mr Benhaim.

He says it competes with engineering compounds in properties such as stiffness and high heat tolerance (HDT). For further information on hemp plastic visit www.hempplastic.com.