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.

Glenelg North

Works: Delivery of sand from West Beach Harbour to Glenelg North.
Duration: October 2024 - December 2024
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928

Commencing Monday 21 October 2024, sand will be moved from where it accumulates at West Beach harbour. This work will raise beach levels, preparing Glenelg North for summer beach use and for storm protection.

The work is expected to take up to eight weeks and operations are between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, subject to weather and operational needs.

Limited access to certain areas near work zones may be in place. Safety signage will help guide beachgoers during this period.

West Beach

Works: Delivery of sand from land-based quarries to West Beach.
Duration: July to December 2024
Contact: DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au or phone 8124 4928

The South Australian Government is committed to maintaining sand supply along the coast by restoring West Beach with quarry sand. This effort follows the independent review of Adelaide’s beach management, completed in December 2023, and the subsequent recommendations.

Starting on Monday 29 July 2024, up to 200,000m³ of sand will be delivered to West Beach via the Adelaide Sailing Club over the next 12 months. The initial delivery of 100,000m³ is expected to be completed by December 2024, in time for end-of-year festivities and the summer school break. Sand may also be moved to replenish dunes near Rockingham Street, north of the new West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, depending on winter erosion.

Current works will occur between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and will not take place on weekends, public holidays, or during school holidays. Residents and beachgoers should take care during works and follow safety signage. Timing may vary based on weather conditions and operational requirements.

The department is also exploring alternative sources of sand to restore West Beach. If suitable sand is found, approval will be sought to complete the restoration with this alternative sand by 2030.

Restoring West Beach is vital for preserving Adelaide’s coastline. Sand added at West Beach benefits other beaches as some sand drifts north.

For more information, visit: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coasts/managing-adelaides-beaches.

Glenelg to Kingston Park

Works: Annual sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park.
Duration: August 2024 to November 2024
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 19 August 2024.

Unexpected but necessary structural repairs to the Glenelg jetty delayed this year’s sand recycling operations which were due to start in May 2024. As a consequence, this year’s operations will be shorter, with sand recycling works due to be completed and packed down by mid-November.

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)
• Semaphore South dunes (between Noonies Cafe and Hart Street)

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.
• Residents are notified by mail prior to beach works occurring.
• Temporary foreshore signage is installed prior to works and removed once works are completed.

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.

In addition, 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.

GPS monitoring is used to make sure the contractor’s trucks are not speeding. The department also has a supervisor monitoring compliance with these conditions.

Like cars and other vehicles trucks may also be equipped with Dash Cams.

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.