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The Marshall Liberal Government will secure South Australia’s vulnerable coastline through a $52.4 million commitment in the 2019-20 State Budget to address the devastating erosion along its shoreline.

According to the Premier Steven Marshall, this significant package includes $48.4 million allocated to the metropolitan coast consisting of $20 million for additional sand, including approximately 500,000m³ of newly sourced sand.

The package also includes $28.4 million for the completion of a sand recycling pipeline from Semaphore to West Beach, as well as sand dune restoration and revegetation to be undertaken in partnership with local councils and coastal community groups.

This pipeline would complement the existing one from Glenelg to Kingston Park which successfully pumps approximately 100,000m³ of sand each year to stabilize dunes and maintain the southern beaches such as Seacliff.

Regional coasts will also receive a boost, with a $4 million injection to help repair, restore and sustain them in partnership with local councils.

Premier Steven Marshall said that this significant investment will ensure that South Australia’s world-renowned coasts are protected for generations to come.

“Our coast line is treasured by local communities and travelers alike, but unfortunately it’s suffering from the effects of significant storms which have caused millions of dollars of damage and depleted beaches of thousands of tonnes of sand,” said Premier Marshall.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs added that the sand along Adelaide’s coast naturally moves northward, by the wind and waves.

This causes sand to build on the northern beaches, such as Semaphore, but causes erosion along the southern and central coast such as West Beach, Henley Beach and Seacliff.

“A report by environmental consultants Danish Hydraulics Institute (DHI) last year outlined long-term options for managing erosion at West Beach, and mass sand replenishment along with a sand recycling pipeline were identified as practical measures that would secure West Beach’s future,” said Minister Speirs.

“The DHI report estimates annual sand losses to be about 100,000m³ and at present, beach volumes are the lowest since measurements began in the 1970s. The former government had 16 years to fix the problem and failed to do so,” the minister added.