Erosion ‘hotspot’ at West Beach caused by winds, walkway work lead to major sand carting

A erosion “hotspot” at West Beach – caused by strong winds and construction – has sparked urgent sand carting works at the “vulnerable” location.

Sand carting at West Beach this week. Picture: Paula Thompson

Urgent sand carting has taken place at West Beach to address an erosion “hotspot” caused by strong winds and construction of a new beach access path.

Residents were alerted this week in a letter from the Department for Environment and Water that the “rapid response” works would be undertaken on Thursday and Friday at the “vulnerable location”.

DEW Securing Our Coasts project manager James Guy said a combination of recent unfavourable weather conditions and work being undertaken by Charles Sturt Council to reconstruct northern ramp access near the West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club had sparked the urgent action.

West Beach in December, 2019, before sand was carted from Semaphore. Picture: Supplied

“Strong winds last week, together with the current works being undertaken by council to construct a new beach access path has created an erosion ‘hotspot’ just north of the surf life saving club at West Beach,” he said.

“This required attention to protect Seaview Road and adjacent infrastructure from damage.”

Mr Guy said the department took the opportunity to undertake small scale replenishment works this week to take advantage of favourable tides, calm weather and the availability of contractor equipment.

“This will help protect the area until further replenishment in May,” he said.

Across Thursday and Friday about 3000 cubic metres of sand will be collected from the Torrens Outlet and moved to the dune near Rockingham Street at West Beach.

Sand carting at West Beach this week. Picture: Paula Thompson

Sand carting at West Beach this week. Picture: Paula Thompson

Mr Guy said as the works were taking place at short notice, the members of the West Beach community reference group that the department liaise with was asked to assist in circulating information about the works through their local networks.

Information was also uploaded on the DEW website and SMS messages sent to local community members who have registered to receive updates on coastal management works.

The works are part of a $48.4m state government long-term plan to address the erosion issues at West Beach.

It includes delivering a large amount of sand from outside of the Adelaide beach system to raise the beach levels and boost sand dune buffers at West Beach and constructing a sand recycling pipeline from Semaphore to West Beach.

In February last year, significant sand carting to replenish the ailing West Beach got underway. The beach had virtually been washed away by the beginning of December the previous year, with sand carting turning it back to a usable coastline.