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.
The sand on Adelaide’s beaches naturally moves from south to north, driven by wind and waves. This causes erosion at the southern and central sections of the coastline, such as at Seacliff, West Beach and Henley Beach South, and a build-up of sand on other parts of the coastline, such as Glenelg, Semaphore and Largs Bay.
For half a century sand along the coastline has been moved from where it builds up to where it is needed. As necessary additional sand has also been brought into the system from external sources such as quarries and off-shore deposits.
In the southern section of the coastline sand is moved using an underground sand recycling pipeline from Glenelg to southern beaches to maintain dunes and keep those beaches sandy. Trucks are used elsewhere to replenish beaches.
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. Sand movement works are generally undertaken during cooler months when there are fewer people on the beaches.
Winter 2022 impacts on our coast
DEW plans its activities on Adelaide’s managed beaches on a seasonal basis. The prolonged winter storms in 2022 resulted in significant loss of sand from beaches at Henley Beach South and Henley Beach. Access points to the beach were temporarily closed by the City of Charles Sturt. The prolonged winter conditions also resulted in the loss of sand from the dunes at Semaphore Park between Third Ave and Mirani Court.
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Find out about works underway to manage Adelaide's beaches.
Sand pumping from Glenelg to Kingston Park (annual)
Works: Annual sand recycling with sand being pumped to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park.
Duration: Annually every June to November
Contact: alboperations@mcdgroup.com or phone 8232 1882
Sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park through the underground pipeline system is undertaken annually. Works normally commence in June and run through to November. McConnell Dowell undertakes this work on behalf of the department.
Sand collection and pumping can take place between 7.00am and 7.00pm Monday to Friday. During this time, residents and beachgoers are requested to take care during works and adhere to safety signage and flagging that will be in place during operation.
The removal of accumulated seagrass wrack (seaweed) will be required at Glenelg prior to sand collection being undertaken. Seagrass relocation will commence Monday 15 May 2023 and is expected to take approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
We thank the community for their patience during these works.
Works are subject to change depending on the weather and operational requirements.
West Beach replenishment
Works: Delivery of sand from land-based quarries to West Beach.
Duration: Recommencing May 2023
Contact: DEWcoasts@sa.gov.au
Commencing in the week of Monday 1 May 2023, approximately 50,000 cubic metres of quarry sand will be delivered to West Beach near the Adelaide Sailing Club. Works are expected to be completed by July 2023.
If erosion is significant and urgent works are required, sand may also be moved to replenish dunes near Rockingham Street ( to the north of the West Beach Surf Life Saving club).
Works are subject to change depending on the weather and operational requirements.
We thank the community for their patience during these works.
Semaphore Park dune replenishment
Works: Delivery of sand from Semaphore breakwater to Semaphore Park.
Duration: Commencing week 14 March 2023.
Contact: DEWcoasts@sa.gov.au
Commencing in the week of Tuesday 14 March 2023, sand will be collected from the Semaphore Breakwater and moved along the beach to replenish eroded dunes at Semaphore Park. Seagrass that has accumulated on the beach at the Semaphore breakwater will be moved to Semaphore Park at the same time to further bolster the erosion protection. Works are expected to take approximately 2-3 weeks.
Works are subject to change depending on the weather and operational requirements.
We thank the community for their patience during these works.
Semaphore Park dune replenishment is now completed.
Henley Beach South and Henley Beach replenishment
Works: Delivery of sand from land based quarries to Henley Beach South and Henley Beach.
Duration: Commencing week 20 March 2023.
Contact: DEWcoasts@sa.gov.au
Commencing in the week of Monday 20 March 2023, sand will be delivered via the Henley Beach Sailing Club and trucked along the beach from south of the Torrens Outlet to the affected areas. Works are expected to take approximately 3-4 weeks.
The timing of delivery is scheduled to avoid / minimise potential impact on Red-capped and Hooded plovers in the Torrens Outlet area.
The timing of operational works aims to avoid school holidays where possible.
Works are subject to change depending on the weather and operational requirements.
We thank the community for their patience during these works.
Henley Beach South and Henley Beach replenishment is now completed.
A copy of the news article can be found here: Beach replenishment works
West Beach dune restoration and stabilisation
Works: Dune restoration and stabilisation works at West Beach
Timeframe: Commenced February 2022
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au
- Stabilisation and restoration works commenced at West Beach in early 2022.
- Works are being undertaken on the dunes at Seaview Road north of the West Beach Surf Life Saving and at the West Beach Parks dunes situated adjacent to the BIG4 holiday park, West Beach.
Community safety
Community safety is a priority. Safety signage is in place on the beaches during works.
The community and beach users 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 Surf Life Saving SA and local surf clubs regarding beach safety.
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.
In addition, 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.
GPS monitoring is used to make sure the contractor’s trucks are not speeding. The department also has a full time supervisor on site at the beach monitoring compliance with these conditions.
Doesn’t sand just wash away when beaches are replenished?
When beaches are replenished with sand it is normal for some of it to be washed away during the next storm. If the replenishment sand wasn’t there, then the beach would be even more eroded and exposed.
Much of the sand that is washed offshore during storms is moved back onshore during calmer periods, so it is not wasted. This sand will also help maintain beaches as it drifts naturally to the north.
Why is sand under the surface of the beach grey or black in colour?
The sand collected from Adelaide’s beaches is sometimes coloured grey to black because of the naturally decomposing seagrass content. This is particularly noticeable if you dig below the surface of the beach in areas where seagrass wrack accumulates. This quickly dries and turns white/yellow after being exposed to the sun, wind and rain.
Is seagrass wrack sometimes moved on beaches?
It is preferable to leave beach-cast wrack on the beach unless it becomes a problem from an amenity or management perspective, as seagrass wrack plays an important role in sustaining the beach and marine environment. This includes nutrient recycling, providing food and habitat for marine life and protecting the coast from storms.
Where wrack is impeding sand collection, it can be moved within the beach system, or it may be incorporated into the replenishment of nearby eroded dunes (such as near harbours where wrack regularly accumulates and is required to be moved or dredged).
If wrack is intended to be moved for amenity or other purposes, then responsibility is with the local council as part of its care and control of the foreshore.
