Adelaide Beach Management Review

Dredging trial update

An expanded sand dredging trial will start the week beginning Monday, September 30 as part of a state government commitment to relocate sand and help combat erosion of Adelaide's coastline.

Two new dredging zones - one about 500m off West Beach and the other around West Beach Harbour - have been selected after extensive scientific testing, which included determining suitable sand sources and considering numerous environmental factors, including not disturbing seagrass.

Sand will still be dredged from an area south of North Haven Marina and delivered, by barge, to West Beach, as announced in May.

Dredging sand with different characteristics from multiple locations will provide important information to help determine if dredging can be used to maintain a healthy beach system.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the operations, which will investigate whether dredging is a long-term, sustainable solution to replenish Adelaide's central beaches, including West Beach, as sand naturally drifts north along the coast.

This part of the trial will also evaluate different sand delivery methods, including pumping it directly on to West Beach and placing it in a nearshore zone to create a buffer against wave erosion.

A detailed scientific and environmental analysis of the dredging, available sand sources and placement methods will be conducted as part of the trial, which was a key recommendation of the independent Adelaide Beach Management Review.

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) will manage the dredging, which will be completed by late November.

Dredging operations are permitted every day, including at night, in line with an approved noise management plan and EPA legislation.

Boat access to North Haven Marina and West Beach Boat Ramp is not expected to be affected during the trial but there will be an exclusion zone around the dredging equipment.

Temporary restrictions to beach access at West Beach may be required for safety reasons when trialling methods to deliver the sand.

Dredge Management Plan

Dredging is regulated by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) through a licence and an approved Dredge Management Plan (DMP). The DMP must be in place before work begins and implemented by the dredging contractor (licensee). The DMP covers the methods for dredging, sand placement, and how potential impacts on the environment, public health, and local areas will be managed.

For more details, view the full plan here.

Stakeholder presentation

This presentation was part of stakeholder sessions providing insights into our ongoing beach management operations. Access the full presentation to learn more about the strategies, science and community engagement involved in managing Adelaide’s beaches.

Adelaide Beach Management Review update October 2024