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 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 from 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. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has approved some dredging operations to proceed in 2026.
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.
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Current works
West Beach and Henley Beach South (dredged beach sand)
The State Government is investing $190 million over 20 years in a long-term beach replenishment program to manage erosion and sand build-up along the Adelaide coast from West Beach to North Haven.
The program is moving sand from areas where it naturally accumulates to where it is needed. This will help improve the resilience of Adelaide’s coastline to storms and sea-level rise, maintaining beach width, protecting coastal infrastructure, and ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy the coast.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a licence for dredging operations to proceed in 2026.
The 2026 dredging operation commenced in September and involves up to 90,000 cubic metres of sand being collected from a nearshore area just south of North Haven Marina breakwater and placed at West Beach and Henley Beach South.
Update: Beach replenishment works extend to October
Operations to replenish West Beach and Henley Beach South will continue into October, with ongoing review, as part of the State Government’s program to combat erosion on Adelaide ‘s coast.
The Department for Environment and Water has received an extension from the Environment Protection Authority to continue the dredging operations beyond 30 September under an approved Dredge Management Plan, which includes water quality, seagrass and noise monitoring programs.
The beach replenishment program is moving sand from areas where it naturally accumulates to where it is needed, helping improve the resilience of Adelaide's coastline to storms and sea-level rise, maintain beach width, protect coastal infrastructure and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the coast.
Dredging operations commenced on 16 September 2026 and involve sand being collected from a nearshore area just south of the North Haven Marina breakwater and placed at Henley Beach South and West Beach. The EPA-approved extension will allow the program to continue delivering planned beach replenishment outcomes.
All dredging, placement and monitoring activities to date have been undertaken in accordance with the approved Dredge Management Plan.
The Department will continue to work closely with sailing clubs, surf lifesaving clubs, local councils, Robarra and other directly affected stakeholders to minimise disruption and provide operational updates. Stakeholders will continue to receive regular information about timing and activities as works progress.
The 2026 program will help inform implementation of the State Government's long-term beach replenishment program from 2027.
The 2026 beach replenishment program will build on information gathered through the 2024 dredging trial and support implementation of the long-term beach replenishment program from 2027.
From 2027, the long-term program will include a one-off restoration of West Beach using approximately 400,000 cubic metres of external sand sourced from north of the Outer Harbor channel breakwater, along with an annual replenishment program using around 90,000 cubic metres of recycled sand collected from Adelaide's northern coastline.
Dredging is the most common method of beach replenishment used around Australia and internationally. The Adelaide Beach Management Review considered a range of options and found dredging provided the best balance of environmental care, cost, flexibility, safety and community outcomes.
Extensive community consultation was undertaken through the Adelaide Beach Management Review, with dredging identified as the most supported long-term option through public feedback and submissions.
All dredging activities are regulated by the EPA and undertaken in accordance with the approved Dredge Management Plan, supported by water quality, seagrass and noise monitoring programs.
Have a question about the dredging program? Visit the frequently asked questions page for more information.
Works: Delivery of beach sand from Semaphore Breakwater to Semaphore South.
Duration: 12 October – 11 December 2026
Contact:DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
What is happening?
Sand that has accumulated at the Semaphore Breakwater will be placed along the western edge of the dunes between Arthur Street and Hart Street at Semaphore South. Trucks will enter the beach via the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club access ramp.
When will works take place?
Works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays, or during school holidays.
During this period, access to work zones will be limited and safety signage will help guide beachgoers.
Works: Delivery of sand from West Beach Harbour to Glenelg North.
Duration: 19 October – 11 December 2026
Contact:DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
Mobilisation for annual sand replenishment works at Glenelg North with commence in the week commencing 19 October. During the works, sand will be moved from the south side of West Beach Harbour to Glenelg North.
Operations will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, subject to weather and operational needs. The works are expected to be completed by 11 December.
During this period, access to work zones will be limited and safety signage will help guide beachgoers.
As this is natural beach sand, it contains some seagrass wrack, so 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.
Beachgoers will also see signage about soft sand. Soft sand can sometimes occur when pockets of sand remain heavily saturated with water, particularly following high tides, storms or increased wave activity. This is a natural coastal process and can occur regardless of whether coastal management activities are happening nearby. Newly placed sand can also create conditions conducive to soft sand. Beachgoers are encouraged to take extra care and always follow safety signage in place.
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.
- You can continue to swim at the beach while sand replenishment is underway. However, for safety, please stay away from dredging equipment. There will be a temporary plume of sand that will naturally disperse. As always, swim between the red and yellow flags, where conditions are monitored and lifesavers are available to help.
- 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.
Soft sand
The community are requested to follow signage about soft sand. Soft sand can sometimes occur when pockets of sand remain heavily saturated with water, particularly following high tides, storms or increased wave activity. This is a natural coastal process and can occur regardless of whether coastal management activities are happening nearby. Newly placed sand can also create conditions conducive to soft sand. The community are encouraged to take extra care and always follow safety signage.
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.
