Metropolitan Adelaide coastline devastated by wild July weather

Carted sand costing millions of dollars has been washed out to sea by storms that have caused widespread damage to metropolitan beaches.

Coastal residents have emerged from lockdown to find widespread damage along metropolitan beaches from storms that hit the state earlier this week.

Henley Beach sustained the most damage, with rocks exposed along the beach and several paths closed by Charles Sturt Council for safety reasons.

West Beach also experienced significant sand losses, particularly within man-made dunes created by sand carted from Semaphore, Largs Bay and Largs Bay North.

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The three beaches were among those battered by the strong winds and high seas created by a low pressure system which crossed South Australia late last week, throughout the weekend and again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The severe weather forced the postponement of the sand carting, which had continued during the lockdown.

Supplied Editorial Storm damage

Supplied Editorial Storm damage

Opponents to the project have used the damage sustained this week to renew calls for its suspension.

The storm damage at Henley Beach was created by high seas that battered its historic jetty and almost submerged a beach volleyball net on Wednesday.

Large waves stripped sand from rock walls built to protect properties along The Esplanade, exposing roots of large shrubs and stormwater pipes.

Department of Environment and Water (DEW) project manager James Guy said there had been three separate storm surges along the metropolitan coastline this month, which was unusual.

“Typically we would expect storm surge events of this magnitude to occur about once every one to two years,” he said.

“The state government’s beach replenishment program is critical to providing protection to infrastructure from these storm events.”

This includes continuing to replenish the eroded dunes at West Beach Parks with sand from Semaphore.”

Supplied Editorial Storm damage

Supplied Editorial Storm damage

Mr Guy said the department soon would start using sand from quarries south of Adelaide to replenish the dunes at West Beach and Henley Beach.

However, because of difficulty with trucks crossing the Torrens River mouth during winter, work at Henley Beach South would be delayed until spring.

Mr Guy said development approval would be sought for a pipeline to transport sand from Semaphore to West Beach.

Supplied Editorial Storm damage

Save Our Shores: Semaphore Largs Bay organiser Warwick Norman said millions of dollars per year are being spent on sand carting.

“We calculate that DEW is currently spending over $3 million a year on relocating sand from the northern beaches,” he said.

“We are calling for a comprehensive study of the needs of Adelaide’s beaches and importing coarser sand from outside the Adelaide system in the interim.”

Charles Sturt Council acting chief executive Bruce Williams said work was underway to provide pedestrian access to Henley Beach while exposed at Semaphore had been cordoned off.

Mr Williams said the recent severe winds and high tides experienced along the coast “have not been seen for a while”.

A detailed audit would be undertaken on the Henley Beach pathways, including a damaged staircase, to “ensure they remain safe and functional for the public”.

“This audit is planned to occur within the next 12-18 months and the results of this audit will be used to develop a forward works program for these assets,” he said.

Supplied Editorial Storm damage

Environment Minister David Speirs said the damage sustained by the beaches was “exactly why” the state government was spending $48.4 million on a long-term solution at West Beach.

This included building a pipeline “to move sand from northern beaches where it builds up to beaches that are eroding”.

“Once completed and operational, the pipeline will significantly reduce the reliance on trucks to move sand, making it safer for the community, as well as reducing noise, congestion and the impacts of trucks on roads,” said Mr Speirs.

Pathway closed at Henley Beach because of storm damage. Picture: Colin James

Mr Speirs said a sand pipeline between Glenelg and Kingston Park had been operating successfully since 2013.

“The existing pipeline pumps around 100,000 cubic metres of sand each year to the southern beaches and has seen the re-establishment of stable, vegetated dune systems,” he said.

Mr Speirs said another pipeline from Semaphore to West Beach “will allow us to replicate this success and provide a long-term solution to the coastal erosion issues at West Beach and Henley Beach South”.

Henley Beach Dunes Care Group co-ordinator Lisa Redman, said storm damage could be minimalised when the pipeline is installed.

“It’s nature, we can’t really help that,” Ms Redman said.

She said it’s dissapointing that access to the beach will be limited.

“It’s an essential part of the lifestyle of people in Henley Beach, and people from all over Adelaide.”

“It’s healthy for people to visit the beach, especially in these difficult times.”