The six-year saga of a wave generator stranded off the Fleurieu coast will extend for at least another six months.

In March 2014 Oceanlinx Ltd attempted to float the huge structure, designed to convert wave power to energy, around the coast to Port Macdonnell.

It sank one kilometre off Carrickalinga Beach, in the Encounter Marine Park. The company went into liquidation shortly after the incident and the wave energy generator has remained there ever since.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure warned at the time of a significant safety risk to kayakers, snorkellers, divers and swimmers.

The wreck has been marked with buoys and warning beacons, creating an eyesore as well as a navigational hazard.

Successive state governments, insurers and the District Council of Yankalilla have been working on a way to address the problem for six years, much to the frustration of the community.

In November last year the state government announced it would remove and sink the top section of the stranded wave generator, creating a new artificial reef.

“This means that the remaining structure will be under approximately one metre of water at low tide addressing the local community’s concerns by removing the eyesore.”

It said this was the most cost-effective solution, as complete removal of the structure would cost more than $8million.

The work was to be carried out in two stages and completed by mid-2020, but this week has seen a further delay.

Minister Stephan Knoll says divers have inspected the generator and found the structure does not match the drawings used for the plan.

With winter on the way conditions will not allow work to move ahead as planned.

“As soon as the weather turns better and the water is easier to navigate it will happen,” Mr Knoll says.

Carrickalinga residents are not happy with the delay, but neither are they keen on the state government’s proposed solution.

Kim Baker, President of Carrickalinga Ratepayers Association, says it’s dangerous to leave tonnes of metal and concrete just below the surface and Oceanlinx Ltd should never have been allowed to transport the wave generator without sufficient insurance to cover the cost of failure.

“It is environmental waste that needs to be removed.”