Ground assessment work underway on Semaphore to West Beach sand recycling pipeline
Ground assessment work gets underway this week to inform design investigations for a new sand recycling pipeline to be constructed from Semaphore to West Beach.
As part of the government’s Securing the future of our coastline project, the pipeline will move sand from beaches where it builds up to beaches that are eroding.
Project Manager James Guy said in order to determine the best alignment for the pipeline, the project team needs to fully understand the ground conditions along the pipeline route.
“These investigations will help inform alignment options and will not necessarily reflect the final alignment of the pipeline,” James said.
“A small truck mounted rig will be used to take core samples to assess ground conditions between West Beach and Largs Bay over the next month, with work occurring between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays.”
The ground condition is one of several investigations being undertake to inform the pipeline design.
James explained the Department for Environment and Water is working closely with a community reference group on the project.
“Community views from members of our Community Reference Group representing the interests of various environmental and community groups along the coast are also being canvassed in order to determine a draft alignment for the pipeline,” James said.
“Once the initial design process is complete and we have a draft alignment, further public consultation will follow.”
Construction of the pipeline is expected to commence in 2021/22 after the design and approval phase with the pipeline to be operational by 2022/23.
“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,” James said.
“Pipelines provide more flexibility in managing our beaches – with multiple intake and discharge locations allowing sand to be picked up where there is an accumulation and delivered to locations most at need across the beach system.
“We have seen this success with the Glenelg to Kingston Park pipeline, which currently pumps approximately 100,000 cubic metres of sand each year.”
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