Adelaide beach works
The Adelaide coastline is a highly modified environment as a result of urban development covering much of the original coastal dune system, impacting the natural coastal ecosystem. The state government has been actively managing Adelaide’s coastline for the last 50 years to protect property, the foreshore and infrastructure from storms while also providing sandy beaches for community enjoyment. Active management results in a beach system that is more resilient to storm damage.
Strong winds, large waves and storm surges, especially in the winter months, causes erosion of Adelaide’s beaches. The Department for Environment and Water monitors closely the entire coastline to determine where sand is needed.
In the southern section of the coastline sand is moved using an underground sand recycling pipeline from Glenelg to Kingston Park to maintain dunes and keep those beaches sandy. Trucks are used elsewhere to replenish beaches.
In the northern section, between West Beach and Largs Bay, the government is progressing with its plans for a long-term replenishment program - to be delivered via dredge - commencing in 2027. This program is the culmination of the Adelaide Beach Management Review, a comprehensive independent review which looked at all available coastal management options to find a long-term solution to erosion across Adelaide’s central and northern beaches.
In the meantime, various sand management projects are undertaken which involve delivering sand by truck.
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Current works
Works: Delivery of sand from land-based quarries to Henley Beach South and West Beach.
Duration: 21 May to 3 July 2026
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
What works are being undertaken?
The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) will deliver up to 30,000 cubic metres of quarry sand to West Beach and Henley Beach South.
Why are the works taking place?
Additional sand is being delivered to these locations to enhance winter storm protection. The use of quarry sand is an interim measure while DEW works to obtain the necessary approvals to support the delivery of its long-term replenishment program due to start in 2027.
When are the works taking place?
Work will start from Thursday 21 May and continue through to 3 July 2026, subject to weather and operational requirements. Works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays or during school holidays.
Where are the works being undertaken?
Sand from land-based quarries will be placed in two locations, with trucks accessing the beach via the Henley Sailing Club ramp:
- West Beach - between Rockingham Street and in front of sections of the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
- Henley Beach South - between Lexington Road and just north of South Street.
What measures are in place to protect the environment?
Quarry sand must be free of contaminants and meet strict physical specifications, including less than 0.5% of silt and clay particles. Regular testing of the quarry sand is undertaken. If vulnerable shorebirds are identified, a trained Birdlife spotter will monitor activities. DEW will also undertake water quality monitoring during quarry sand delivery, including field sampling and satellite-derived turbidity mapping.
What impact will the works have on the community?
A temporary project site hut will be established adjacent the Henley Sailing Club ramp. Trucks and heavy machinery will be present on local roads, the Henley Sailing Club carpark, and the beach between South Street and West Beach Road while the beach works are underway. Trucks and machinery will occupy the parking areas adjacent the Henley Sailing Club both during works and in designated parking areas on weekends. Heavy machinery may remain on the beach at the end of the boat ramp overnight, on weekends and public holidays.
Residents and beachgoers should take care during works and have regard to safety signage.
Works: Delivery of sand from West Beach Harbour to Glenelg North.
Duration: 27 April – 1 June 2026
Contact:DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
Commencing 27 April 2026, sand will be moved from where it accumulates at West Beach Harbour to Glenelg North. This work will raise beach levels, helping to protect Glenelg North during winter storms. As this is natural beach sand, it contains some seagrass wrack, can be darker in colour and may have an odour when first placed on the beach. When exposed to the sun, the sand will bleach and lighten in colour, and the odour will dissipate within a few days.
Operations will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, subject to weather and operational needs.
During this period, access to work zones will be limited and safety signage will help guide beachgoers.
Works: Annual sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park.
Duration: April to October 2026
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
Annual sand recycling operations to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park are due to commence setting up on 27 April 2026.
Sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park through the underground pipeline system is undertaken annually. Works can take place between 7.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
During this time, residents and beachgoers are requested to take care and adhere to safety signage and flagging in place during operations. Works can be subject to change depending upon weather conditions, storms and operational requirements.
A temporary fenced work area will be assembled and operated on the northern side of the Glenelg jetty. Access to some areas of the foreshore will be restricted during the operations.
The sand at Glenelg is collected by a land plane, which travels the beach scraping layers of sand. There may be times when an excavator and trucks are required to access the sand at the northern end of Glenelg beach, adjacent to the rock breakwater. Sand mixed with seawater is discharged at different locations along the coast throughout the operation.
The removal of accumulated beach wrack (seaweed) is often required at Glenelg beach prior to sand collection. Beach wrack that needs to be removed is usually relocated to other beaches and used to stabilise dunes so it remains within the broader coastal system.
These operations are undertaken by McConnell Dowell on behalf of the Department for Environment and Water.
More information on the Glenelg to Kingston Park annual replenishment can be found here.
View the Glenelg to Kingston Park information brochure here.
Works: Delivery of beach sand from Semaphore Breakwater to Semaphore Sth and Semaphore Park.
Duration: 30 March to 29 June 2026.
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
What works are being undertaken?
Beaches at Semaphore South (between Arthur Street and Hart Street) and Semaphore Park (between Third Avenue and Mirani Court) will be replenished with sand that has accumulated at the Semaphore Breakwater.
Why are the works taking place?
Due to natural coastal processes, sand along Adelaide’s coastline drifts north. Active sand management is required to ensure that beaches do not erode when the northward sand drift exceeds southern sand supply. Recycling sand from areas of accumulation to areas of erosion is a common and sustainable approach to managing our beaches.
When are the works taking place?
Mobilisation of equipment will begin from Monday 30 March 2026, with sand movement commencing shortly after. Works are anticipated to be completed by 29 June 2026. Works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays, or during school holidays.
How are the works being undertaken?
Sand will be collected from the Semaphore Breakwater and delivered to placement areas shown in the maps overleaf. Trucks will access the beach via the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club access ramp.
What impact will the works have on community?
Machinery and trucks will be on the beach while work is underway. The community are asked to take extra care on the beaches and adhere to all safety signage during operations. All trucks must give way to other traffic on the beach including pedestrians and animals and strict speed limits are in place for trucks when moving along the beach. Please note that sand collected from under the surface of the water can often be darker in colour and lightens once exposed to direct sunlight.
Community Safety
Community safety is a priority. Safety signage is in place on the beaches during works.
The community are asked to please take extra care on the beaches while the works are underway and adhere to all safety signage and flagging in place during operations.
- Qualified contractors are employed for the works. The successful contractor is required to develop a job safety plan and a thorough risk management plan. This includes safe management between the work and members of the public.
- Traffic control complies with relevant Australian Standards and Code of Practice. Traffic controllers and/or signage is provided where necessary.
- We liaise with local surf lifesaving and sailing clubs regarding beach safety.
- Temporary foreshore signage is installed prior to works commencing.
If you are concerned about community safety during beach replenishment works please contact our team at DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928.
Truck speed limits on beaches
Sand movement works on Adelaide’s beaches are undertaken by a contractor on behalf of the department.
Safety is of paramount importance when undertaking works along our beaches. As such, the contract includes stringent conditions regarding the speeds that the equipment (trucks and other machinery) can operate at when moving along the beach.
Speed of vehicles on the beach shall not be greater than:
- 40 km/h unless within 50 metres of any person or animals
- 25 km/h between 10 metres and 50 metres of any person or animals
- Must stop within 10 metres of any person or animal.
All vehicles must give way to all other traffic on the beach including pedestrians and animals. They must stop when pedestrians or animals wish to cross the line of movement of the trucks along the beach.
DEW contractor truck speed limits are compliant with the recent changes to the Road Traffic Act 1961. The department also has a supervisor monitoring compliance with these conditions.
Like cars and other vehicles trucks may also be equipped with Dash Cams.
Shorebirds
DEW works closely with Birdlife Australia prior to and during beach replenishment operations to minimise any potential impacts on Red-capped and Hooded plovers during breeding season. DEW is updated regularly by Birdlife Australia with regards to shorebird activity along the metropolitan coastline.
If required DEW contracts the services of a trained Birdlife spotter who remains present on the beach during operations.
DEW coast’s team, supervisors and contractors are committed to on-going training with Birdlife Australia staff.
