Sand to be carted along Adelaide beaches to counter erosion, but locals are concerned about property damage
A huge convoy of trucks will operate throughout the day – for up to 10 weeks at a time – to bring sand to eroding Adelaide beaches. Those who live there aren’t happy that they weren’t consulted.
Up to 100 trucks will cart sand through suburban streets to replenish Adelaide beaches, leaving residents fearing they will rumble by every few minutes and damage their homes.
As the State Government intensifies its program to restore the stretch from West Beach to Henley Beach, the huge convoy of trucks will operate from 7am to 5pm on weekdays for up to 10 weeks at a time.
Residents on the seaside streets, including in Semaphore and Largs Bay, have not been told that the sand-laden semi-tippers will soon stream past homes.
The Environment Department would not disclose the trucks’ full route, but Port Adelaide Enfield Council documents say vehicles will head north along the Esplanade and turn right into Hannay St, Largs Bay, then right on to Military Rd.
Hall St in Semaphore will also be used.
The department said it decided on the route with the approval of the council.
Part of the carpark next to the Palais Hotel will be blocked off from the public to allow the trucks access to the beach and park overnight.
The carting, part of a $48.4 million plan to save city beaches from sand erosion, will last eight to 10 weeks, three or four times over the next two years.
The first round of carting from Semaphore beach is expected to begin in October or November.
Sand is naturally moved north from beaches such as West Beach and Henley Beach by wind and waves.
A statement from the Environment Department said it was not possible to harvest from less populated areas because the sand beyond Largs Bay was too fine for use at beaches further south.
Sand has previously been taken from the Semaphore South breakwater – away from homes – but sand there has been depleted due to carting. The department said that meant sand had to be taken from Semaphore beach.
Attendees of a recent public meeting were told sand would be taken from the beach to a depth of 50cm and this would cause the dunes to fall forward to compensate for the loss.
Hall St resident Steve Hay has received no correspondence from the council or Government regarding the potential traffic passing his street.
“I’m not happy they’re coming down Hall St, that’s for sure,” Mr Hay said.
Mr Hay said most of the houses on the street were built in the late 1800s, which could pose a risk to the property foundations.
“I’m concerned about the noise and the potential vibrations of the houses,” he said.
Another Semaphore resident, Briony Lock, hoped the trucks would be covered to stop sand blowing into people’s properties.
“Hopefully it will be effective ... I would’ve thought there would be better ways to get sand on the beach than carting trucks,” Ms Lock said.
Port Adelaide Enfield mayor Claire Boan said it was an “unfortunate situation that some residents will be impacted by this but it’s the best route with the least disruption possible”.
Labor MP for Port Adelaide Susan Close said the “complete absence of consultation” on the sand carting was “outrageous”.
“It’s not enough that they want to strip sand from Semaphore beach and build a wide road through our delicate dunes, we now hear they’re secretly planning on rolling huge trucks through suburban narrow streets every six minutes from dawn to dusk,” she said.
“Residents have every right to be furious at being kept in the dark and this Government’s complete lack of regard for our community.”
Port Adelaide Residents Environment Protection Group secretary Tony Bazeley said residents and visitors to the stretch between Semaphore and Largs wouldn’t be happy with the impact on the beach.
Environment Minister David Speirs said the carting was a “necessary step” before a pipe was installed as a permanent solution.
He apologised for the inconvenience to residents and said the department would do all it could to minimise the impact.
