Sand carting to help replenish one of Adelaide’s struggling metropolitan beaches has begun this week.
Dune erosion at West Beach is having a significant impact on the local environment and around 100,000 cubic metres of sand is being carted from the Semaphore South breakwater as part of the government’s $5.2 million New Life for Our Coastal Environment election commitment.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the sand carting was a short-term solution to help the struggling beach with the State Government exploring long-term options.
“For far too long the problems at West Beach have been ignored,” said Minister Speirs.
“The extra sand carting this week will help address the current levels of erosion at West Beach as the Marshall Liberal Government investigates a more permanent solution.
“The Semaphore South breakwater already has a build-up of sand, as wind and waves naturally moves sand northward along Adelaide’s coast.
“The initial sand carting to West Beach will run until early December this year, and further carting will occur next year.”
Approaches to address erosion at West Beach in the long-term have been outlined in a report recently completed by environmental consultants Danish Hydraulics Institute (DHI).
“The State Government has allocated $1 million into research and development to find the best ways to manage beach replenishment in the future which includes investigating new sand sources,” said Minister Speirs.
“The approach that is adopted will need to best meet the community’s needs and balance environmental, recreational, practical and financial considerations.”
Member for Colton Matt Cowdrey said local residents would welcome the plans to help rescue the struggling West Beach.
“Residents will start to see trucks carting sand from Semaphore which will help address current levels of erosion at West Beach,” said Mr Cowdrey.
“Coastal protection is a high priority for the State Government and I am working closely with the Minister for Environment and Water as long-term solutions are explored.”
For a copy of the West Beach DHI report visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/coasts
