More sand carting for West Beach to stop erosion

Another round of sand carting will get under way at West Beach today to combat erosion.

Another round of sand carting will get underway at West Beach on Monday to combat erosion.

• Adelaide beaches suffering ‘large-scale degradation’
• Erosion threatens to reduce Adelaide seaside to series of ‘pocket beaches’
• Future of West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club hangs in balance as beach erodes

Another round of sand carting will get under way at West Beach on Monday to combat erosion.

Sand from the Semaphore South breakwater will be trucked in to build up West Beach’s sand dunes.

Environment Minister David Speirs said the work would complement previous replenishment activities carried out earlier this year.

“Sand erosion at West Beach is a longstanding issue and while sand carting will address the

problem in the short term, the State Government is investigating long-term solutions,” he said.

Coastal Protection Board Presiding Member Allan Holmes said adding sand to the foreshore was important because it increased dune volume and boosted the resilience of the area.

“West Beach is already in poor condition – the eroding foreshore has been hit hard by the tide, even though it has been mild weather,” he said.

“The continued and staged carting of sand to replenish eroded areas at West Beach is a tactic to protect the area.

“Also, the sand carting will build up the dunes and help to protect the vulnerable foreshore from further erosion during the winter months.”

Mr Holmes said moving larger volumes of sand to West Beach was being considered as part of a long-term plan to manage erosion in the area.