Adelaide beach works
The Adelaide coastline is a highly modified environment as a result of urban development covering much of the original coastal dune system, impacting the natural coastal ecosystem. The state government has been actively managing Adelaide’s coastline for the last 50 years to protect property, the foreshore and infrastructure from storms while also providing sandy beaches for community enjoyment. Active management results in a beach system that is more resilient to storm damage.
The sand on Adelaide’s beaches naturally moves from south to north, driven by wind and waves. This causes erosion at the southern and central sections of the coastline, such as at Seacliff, West Beach and Henley Beach South, and a build-up of sand on other parts of the coastline, such as Glenelg, Semaphore and Largs Bay.
For half a century sand along the coastline has been moved from where it builds up to where it is needed. As necessary additional sand has also been brought into the system from external sources such as quarries and off-shore deposits.
In the southern section of the coastline sand is moved using an underground sand recycling pipeline from Glenelg to southern beaches to maintain dunes and keep those beaches sandy. Trucks are used elsewhere to replenish beaches.
Strong winds, large waves and storm surges, especially in the winter months, causes erosion of Adelaide’s beaches. The Department for Environment and Water monitors closely the entire coastline to determine where sand is needed. Sand movement works are generally undertaken during cooler months when there are fewer people on the beaches.
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Information on the Adelaide Beach Management review and dredging trial can be found here.
Latest updates
West Beach
Works: Delivery of sand from land-based quarries to West Beach.
Duration: 24 February until start of July 2025
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
What is happening?
Sand will be delivered to West Beach via the access ramp just north of the Adelaide Sailing Club and distributed along the beach from the ramp to an area just north of the West Beach Surf Club. You may notice machinery and trucks on the beach while work is underway, but we’ll do our best to reduce disruptions.
When will works take place?
Works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays, or during school holidays.
How much sand is being placed?
Since July 2024, more than 100,000 cubic metres (m³) of external sand has been delivered by truck to West Beach. A further 100,000m³ is on track to be delivered by the end of June 2025. Beach replenishment helps protect infrastructure from storm damage, creates more enjoyable beaches, and supports coastal communities and businesses.
For more information, visit: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coasts/managing-adelaides-beaches.
Semaphore South dune replenishment
Works: Delivery of seagrass wrack from Glenelg and Semaphore South and sand from Semaphore breakwater to Semaphore South.
Duration: Commencing 24 March 2025
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
What is happening?
A mixture of beach sand and seagrass wrack will be delivered to a small area of beach at Semaphore South to help restore eroded sand dunes.
Seagrass wrack that has accumulated at Glenelg and Semaphore South will be mixed with beach sand taken from the Semaphore breakwater to help strengthen and protect the dunes and will be placed along the western edge of the dunes between Arthur Street and Hart Street.
When will works take place?
Works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays, or during school holidays.
Henley Beach
Works: Delivery of sand from land-based quarries to Henley Beach
Duration: 5 May to early July 2025
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
What is happening?
Delivery of quarry sand to Henley Beach will commence soon to address erosion and keep sand on the beach. The works are due to start the week commencing 5 May – with mobilisation of equipment to occur the week prior (starting 28 April). The works have been deferred until after the April school holidays to minimise disruption to beach users and businesses.
Sand will be delivered by truck via the Henley Beach Sailing Club access ramp and distributed along the beach
Residents and beachgoers should take care during works and follow safety signage. Works can change due to weather and operational requirements. DEW is in regular communication with Birdlife Australia and trained Birdlife spotters will be in place as needed to help protect Hooded plovers and other nesting shorebirds whilst works are underway.
When will works take place?
Works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays, or during school holidays.
Glenelg to Kingston Park
Works: Annual sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park.
Duration: April to October 2025
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928
Annual sand recycling operations to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park are due to commence setting up on 28 April 2025.
Sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park through the underground pipeline system is undertaken annually. Works can take place between 7.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
During this time, residents and beachgoers are requested to take care and adhere to safety signage and flagging in place during operations. Works can be subject to change depending upon weather conditions, storms and operational requirements.
A temporary fenced work area will be assembled and operated on the northern side of the Glenelg jetty. Access to some areas of the foreshore will be restricted during the operations.
The sand at Glenelg is collected by a land plane, which travels the beach scraping layers of sand. There may be times when an excavator and trucks are required to access the sand at the northern end of Glenelg beach, adjacent to the rock breakwater. Sand mixed with seawater is discharged at different locations along the coast throughout the operation.
The removal of accumulated beach wrack (seaweed) is often required at Glenelg beach prior to sand collection. All beach wrack that needs to be removed is relocated to other beaches and used to stabilise dunes so it remains within the broader coastal system.
These operations are undertaken by McConnell Dowell on behalf of the Department for Environment and Water.
More information on the Glenelg to Kingston Park annual replenishment can be found here.
View the Glenelg to Kingston Park information brochure here.
Other works
Beach and dune replenishment at the following locations is undertaken periodically
- Glenelg North beach (with accumulated sand in and adjacent to West Beach harbour)
- Semaphore Park dunes (between Third Ave and Mirani Court).
Community Safety
Community safety is a priority. Safety signage is in place on the beaches during works.
The community are asked to please take extra care on the beaches while the works are underway and adhere to all safety signage and flagging in place during operations.
- Qualified contractors are employed for the works. The successful contractor is required to develop a job safety plan and a thorough risk management plan. This includes safe management between the work and members of the public.
- Traffic control complies with relevant Australian Standards and Code of Practice. Traffic controllers and/or signage is provided where necessary.
- We liaise with local surf lifesaving and sailing clubs regarding beach safety.
- Temporary foreshore signage is installed prior to works commencing.
If you are concerned about community safety during beach replenishment works please contact our team at DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928.
Truck speed limits on beaches
Sand movement works on Adelaide’s beaches are undertaken by a contractor on behalf of the department.
Safety is of paramount importance when undertaking works along our beaches. As such, the contract includes stringent conditions regarding the speeds that the equipment (trucks and other machinery) can operate at when moving along the beach.
Speed of vehicles on the beach shall not be greater than:
- 40 km/h unless within 50 metres of any person or animals
- 25 km/h between 10 metres and 50 metres of any person or animals
- Must stop within 10 metres of any person or animal.
All vehicles must give way to all other traffic on the beach including pedestrians and animals. They must stop when pedestrians or animals wish to cross the line of movement of the trucks along the beach.
DEW contractor truck speed limits are compliant with the recent changes to the Road Traffic Act 1961. The department also has a supervisor monitoring compliance with these conditions.
Like cars and other vehicles trucks may also be equipped with Dash Cams.
Shorebirds
DEW works closely with Birdlife Australia prior to and during beach replenishment operations to minimise any potential impacts on Red-capped and Hooded plovers during breeding season. DEW is updated regularly by Birdlife Australia with regards to shorebird activity along the metropolitan coastline.
If required DEW contracts the services of a trained Birdlife spotter who remains present on the beach during operations.
DEW coast’s team, supervisors and contractors are committed to on-going training with Birdlife Australia staff.
