West Beach viewing platform near Adelaide Shores collapses during stormy weather
AN OCEAN viewing platform has collapsed at a popular Adelaide beach, after stormy weather.
AN OCEAN viewing platform has collapsed at a popular Adelaide beach.
It’s believed the platform at West Beach near the Adelaide Shores caravan park fell about five metres during stormy weather late last week.
The platform is located in a badly eroded section of coastline where the State Government is trying to replenish the dunes through regular sand pumping.
TELL US BELOW: Did you see the platform coming down?
Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association president Jim Douglas said the time had come to build a rock wall to save the dunes from being completely washed away.
“If they can’t continue to replenish it, I can’t see any other way than putting a rock wall all the way along West Beach to protect the dunes,” Mr Douglas said.
Mr Douglas said he was concerned about beachwalkers who frequented the area, saying the crumpled structure was dangerous and signage was urgently needed.
Wooden steps nearby have also been damaged.
Adelaide Shores, who built the platform, said it had been cordoned off since minor damage was first noticed late last month.
“Safety fences were erected to restrict access to the area from the Adelaide Shores precinct and safety bunting was erected on the beach — and were in place when the platform collapsed,” she said.
She said extra signage was planned and the collapsed structure should be removed within a week with a new platform to be built.
The State Government spends $2.3 million annually on sand pumping at West Beach and Glenelg to maintain the dunes and beaches.
Adelaide’s Living Beaches Project manager Rob Tucker said while sand pumping and sand carting would continue other measures, such as a rock wall, were not being considered.
Mr Tucker said the dunes had been eroded beyond current levels in the past and were susceptible to sand loss during winter storms.
“This is probably one of the more vulnerable areas along the coast and we have a fairly high rate of (sand) loss due to the focus of wave energy in that area,” he said.
TELL US BELOW: Did you see the platform coming down?