The City of Whyalla is set to begin its annual foreshore sand replenishment project today.
Earthmoving contractors and their associated machinery (dump trucks and excavators) will be operating along the Whyalla Foreshore in the week beginning Monday, February 4, until Friday, February 8.
Council’s Project Manager Landscape, Sam Bourne, said that the work was done now to dodge the school holidays and make the most of the seagrass (beach wrack) that is prevalent at this time of the year.
“ Council works closely with the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) in regards to the foreshore and environmental issues such as beach wrack. It is generally preferred that beach wrack is left in place in the coastal environment ,” according to an official City of Whyalla’s announcement.
Beach wrack is considered an essential component of the coastal ecosystem and provides many ecosystem services. The presence of beach wrack also contributes to the protection and stabilization of the shoreline and coastal dunes by serving as a physical barrier between the sea and the dune system.
Since 2013, Whyalla City Council has done an annual sand replenishment project in conjunction with DEWNR’s Coast Protection Branch.
This year’s sand replenishment project involves the harvesting and placement of 5000 cubic meters of sand and seaweed blend, to be placed along the section of seawall stretching from Roberts Terrace to the Beach Café covering any exposed sandbags that have recently been installed.