Dredging and quarry sand options to replenish Adelaide beaches
Sand will be dredged off North Haven and Taperoo and barged south while another 200,000 cubic metres of quarry or offshore sand will replenish Henley Beach South and West Beach over the next year, under moves to tackle Adelaide’s perennial beach sand loss.
The state government says more than 500,000 cubic metres of sand will need to be found to replenish metropolitan beaches over the next five years. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
The state government announced the program this morning, based on recommendations from the Adelaide Beach Sand Management Review.
The review started work a year ago to assess the best ways to manage the constant need to replenish sand along Adelaide beaches, an endless cycle which has cost South Australian taxpayers around $200 million since the early 1970s.
It considered how best to manage beach sand while minimising community disruption, avoiding environmental harm and maximising sand retention, while considering overseas examples and climate science.
Along with shortlisted recommendations costing up to $155 million over 20 years, the review stated options which were rejected for consideration by the state government.
They included long-term ongoing delivery of quarry sand, removal or bypassing of existing structures that impede sand movement, building groynes, seawalls or artificial headlands or reefs, and relocating properties and infrastructure.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher this morning said the government had accepted a recommendation for a two-month dredging program off North Haven and Taperoo to confirm whether it was a long-term sustainable solution to northern sand drift.
The estimated 90,000 cubic metres of sand collected sand would be barged to West Beach and pumped onto the shoreline.
West Beach and Henley Beach South are also flagged to receive another 200,000 cubic metres of sand in the next year, to be sourced from either quarries or “viable offshore sources”.
The government said the review found that 550,000 cubic metres of sand was required along the metropolitan coast in the next five years, and $20 million had been set aside for replenishment next financial year.
“The State Government is taking a scientific approach to keeping sand on Adelaide’s beaches, which are used all year round by thousands of locals and tourists,” Maher said.
“Delivering this significant amount of sand to West Beach and Henley Beach South will combat erosion, protect infrastructure and improve amenity to support coastal communities and businesses.
“The independent Adelaide Beach Management Review recommended investigating dredging as a long-term solution to recycling sand along our coast. This option is less expensive for taxpayers, community consultation found it was the most preferred option and it is much less disruptive for residents.
“This dredging program is an important step to determine the best way to preserve our beaches, while minimising disruption to the community and protecting the environment.”
