Update on efforts to keep Adelaide’s beaches sandy

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.

A sustainable approach to managing Adelaide’s coastline involves moving sand from areas where it accumulates to areas of depletion, supplemented by bringing in additional sand from external sources when required.

Semaphore Park dune replenishment

Commencing 29 April 2024, sand will be collected from the Semaphore Breakwater and trucked along the beach to replenish eroded dunes at Semaphore Park.

Seagrass that has accumulated on the beach at the Semaphore breakwater may also be moved to Semaphore Park at the same time to further bolster the dunes.

Glenelg to Kingston Park

The Glenelg to Kingston Park underground pipeline forms an important part of the Adelaide’s strategy to maintain sandy beaches and protect the foreshore along the southern part of the metropolitan coastline.

Sand recycling to replenish beaches from Glenelg to Kingston Park through the underground pipeline system is undertaken annually. Works are due to commence setting up on 29 April and can run through to the end of October. Works can take place between 7.00am and 7.00pm Monday to Friday.

Henley Beach South / Henley Beach

Up to 15,000 cubic meters of quarry sand was scheduled to be delivered to Henley Beach South and Henley Beach via the Henley Sailing Club in April 2024.

These operations have been postponed allowing for the continued warm weather and to minimise disruption to beach users and nearby businesses. Once started, works are expected to take approximately 5 to 6 weeks.