Sourcing sands for central beaches

A sand dredging trial has begun as part of the South Australian Government’s commitment to combat erosion on Adelaide’s coastline and maintain a healthy beach ecosystem.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the dredging operations, which the State Government announced in May in response to a key recommendation from the independent Adelaide Beach Management Review.

The trial will investigate whether dredging can be used as a long-term, sustainable solution to replenish Adelaide’s central beaches, including West Beach, as sand naturally drifts north along the coast.

Works will include dredging sand from an area south of the North Haven Marina and delivering it by barge to West Beach.

The trial will also be expanded to dredge sand from an area about 500m off West Beach and around the West Beach Boat Harbour.

The dredging zones were selected after extensive scientific testing to determine suitable sand sources and after considering a range of environmental factors, including not disturbing seagrass. The trial will evaluate different methods of delivering the sand to West Beach. These include pumping it directly onto the beach and placing it in a nearshore zone to create a buffer against wave erosion.

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

Dredging sand from multiple locations will provide important information to help determine whether dredging can be used to maintain a healthy beach system. As part of the trial, a detailed scientific and environmental analysis of the dredging, available sand sources, and placement methods will be conducted.

Per an approved noise management plan and EPA legislation, dredging operations are permitted daily, including at night.

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

Temporary restrictions to beach access at West Beach may be required for safety reasons when testing methods of sand delivery.

DEW Coast Manager, David Osborn, said Adelaide’s beaches played an essential part in the lives of South Australians, so it was vital to manage them.

“Maintaining a healthy beach system means people can enjoy Adelaide’s beautiful coastline all year round,” Mr Osborn said.

“The independent Adelaide Beach Management Review considered three main options for managing sand – dredging, delivery of quarry sand via truck movements and constructing a pipeline between Largs Bay and West Beach.

“Dredging has the potential to cause less disruption to the community by reducing the amount of machinery on our beaches.”

DEW will continue to meet with key stakeholders, including local councils, surf clubs and sailing clubs, to keep them informed about the trial.

West Beach is also being boosted with 200,000m³of quarry sand over the next 12 months. The State Government committed a total of $20.7 million in the 2024-25 state budget for the beach management works and dredging trial.

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