More than 100 residents turn out to protest plan to move sand from Semaphore, as part of plan to stop death of southern beaches

Protesters have vowed to fight the State Government on the beaches over sand carting plans that they say will devastate Semaphore and Largs beaches and involve disruptive trucking.

Local residents protest at Semaphore Beach about government plans to cart sand to other beaches. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

• Semaphore sand carting: Residents will stand in front of trucks
• Sand carting to be carried out by heavy trucks

Protesters have turned out in force to raise fears that Semaphore and Largs beaches will be devastated by the removal of sand that will also involve disruptive trucking.

Opposition Deputy Leader and Port Adelaide MP Susan Close appeared with more than 100 concerned residents yesterday to warn the beaches would become a “sand mine”.

Local residents protest at Semaphore Beach.. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs this year announced a $48.4 million coastal rescue plan that includes a new pipeline to reverse a natural flow of sand north, and stop West and Henley beaches from being destroyed. The Government says it will cart some sand away from Semaphore in the coming two years until the pipe is complete in 2022, as well as finding alternative stockpiles elsewhere.

Dr Close said: “The Government must heed the calls of local residents and environmentalists, put a halt to the works, and accelerate getting sand from an external source”.

A Government spokesman said it was minimising impact for residents, while finally delivering a “long term solution”.