Sand carting begins at West Beach under $48m project

Sand carting has started once again at West Beach after it was eroded in storms last month – but plans are also underway to stop carting at the beach forever.

West Beach will receive a much-needed sand replenishment, with 250,000 cubic metres to be delivered from a Mount Compass quarry, under a $48m state government project for metropolitan beaches.

The initial quarter-of-a-million cubic metres is the first step in a 500,000 cubic metre project for West Beach, aimed at rebuilding its badly degraded surface.

Strong winds, large seas and significant rainfall caused significant erosion at West Beach, Henley Beach South and Semaphore South last month.

Environment Minister David Speirs said the source for the remaining 250,000 cubic metres would likely come from the same quarry.

A truck unloads sand at West Beach boat ramp. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Workers begin the sand delivery process. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“We have a range of options and we looked at potential dredging but that comes with some environmental factors and can be quite difficult and problematic getting the dredge onto the beach,” Mr Speirs said.

“The quarry sand is being sourced from the sand quarries down on the Fleurieu Peninsula at Mount Compass, and that sand is what we’ll be using.”

Mr Speirs said unlike Adelaide’s northern beaches, access roads could be used for sand carting instead of residential streets.

“One of the benefits of this operation is that we’re not using residential streets,” he said.

“We know that trucking can cause disruption for local residents and we will continue to work with the West Beach community to minimise the impact during these upcoming works.”

Work on replenishing Henley Beach South will be delayed until spring, because of difficulty with trucks crossing the Torrens River mouth during winter.

Storm damage at Henley Beach last week. Picture: Colin James

Environment Minister David Speirs said sand from a Mount Compass quarry will be used. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Mr Speirs said the $48m project would also include the previously-announced construction of a pipeline from Semaphore to West Beach to help move sand, similar to the Glenelg to Kingston Park system.

The pipeline, which will take about 18 months to construct, will create a “sand slurry”, where watery sand is pumped underground along the foreshore.

It makes the use of sand carting trucks redundant as outlets pump sand on to the beach as a method of replenishment.

West Beach Surf Life Saving Club President Peter Zuill welcomed the delivery of new sand.

“This replenishment to our beach is positive for our club, the community and everyone who comes to West Beach to enjoy our beautiful coastline,” he said.