Holdfast Bay sandbag bid to save Brighton beach back on track
THE construction of nine groynes along Brighton beach is set to resume after Holdfast Bay Council was given 480 extra sandbags – enough to complete the project – to counter ongoing sand drift.
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AN EXPERIMENT to install nine beach groynes to reduce sand drift at Brighton will soon resume after funding came to a halt last year.
The joint State Government and Holdfast Bay Council plan was first announced in November 2016, but paused as funding stopped after just two groynes were installed early last year.
Now the council has been given 480 extra sandbags, which is enough to complete the nine-groyne project, with the next two to be built this financial year.
Holdfast Bay city assets general manager Howard Lacy said, once complete, the groynes might reduce the length of time needed for sand-pumping each year following harsh winter weather.
“The groynes are specifically designed to improve sand retention along the Brighton section of the foreshore,” Mr Lacy said. “Overall, if we can improve sand retention in this area, the duration of the sand-pumping operation may be able to be reduced.”
The annual cost of pumping sand from Glenelg to the southern beaches, including Brighton, is about $1.8 million.
Brighton Surf Life Saving Club president Chris Parsons was sceptical about the plan.
“Without action, the sand disappears ... but personally I’m not convinced the groynes are the best solution,” Mr Parsons said.
“I’d prefer to see sand dunes and sand fencing.
“The groynes do add an extra bit of risk and they’re something our patrols will need to keep a close eye on – they become a trip hazard.
“It will spread us out over more of the beach.”
Holdfast Bay Council did not respond to questions about the club’s concerns or how far up the beach the groynes would stretch.