The Gold Coast's world famous surf breaks such as Snapper Rocks, Greenmount and Duranbah could become a little less crowded if a new artificial surf reef gets the go-ahead on the Tweed Coast.

Steve Barrett of Offshore Surf Reefs has been working on a new concept of artificial reef for more than 10 years.

After successful wave tank trials at the University of NSW he is ready to put it to the test.

Mr Barrett has approached Tweed Shire Council for support to apply for a grant to help him build a prototype of his reef design.

If successful, he wants to trial his concept on the Tweed, with Dreamtime Beach at Kingscliff flagged by council officers as the likely test spot.

The artificial reef would be made of fabricated steel off site and floated 150m off shore where it would be attached to the seafloor.

This design is the first of its kind in the world and is able to be removed after the trial if unsuccessful.

Tweed Shire Council says the limited breaks put people at risk of injuries and conflict, taking away some of the pleasure of surfing. ( ABC Open contributor CurrumbinAli )

Mr Barrett said he was still in the early stages of discussions with Tweed Shire Council. If he can obtain a grant to build the prototype, surfers could be using the waves before the end of 2019.

At a Tweed council meeting on July 20, councillors will consider whether they want to support his vision.

Council officers have recommended it gets the council's backing saying it would provide the community with a "valuable recreational resource".

"It is well documented that while waves break over extensive stretches of the Tweed and Gold Coast beaches, only certain locations produce good quality waves," council said.

"As a result surfers concentrate at these breaks, which can lead to injuries, conflict and a diminished recreational experience for all involved.

"On an open stretch of beach that does not typically form the type of sand bars that create good surfing waves, an artificial reef has the potential to form an additional good quality and consistent surf break."

Gold Coast Tweed Surfriders Foundation president Greg Howell said he was not aware of any artificial reefs in the world that have been successful as a consistent surf break and warned Mother Nature was "unpredictable".

Mr Howell said environmental impacts must be considered but welcomed any new research that could expand opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy heading out for a surf.

"If it's done with a holistic view and researched it could be a wonderful thing," he said.