Whyalla sand replenishment program underway

The annual Whyalla Foreshore Sand Replenishment Program is underway, aiming to help protect beach-side assets.

This project – which began this on Monday – involves harvesting sand deposited adjacent to the breakwater of the marina at the Whyalla Foreshore and depositing it along certain sections of the seawall to provide a protective barrier.

The Sand Replenishment Program has been in place since 2013, with the City Council working with the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) Coast Protection Board on the best practice method of improving the quality of the beach.

As part of this process, Council’s Project Manager Landscape Sam Bourne said the beach wrack (commonly referred to as seaweed) and vegetation were the “single most important factor” in protecting and maintaining the beach environment.

“It binds the sand together. It’s soft…but it also holds onto the sand particles – long-term, that is the only way that this sand will stay here,” Sam said. “We need the sand to provide protection against big tidal surges and storm events, because if the sand was not there, there is nothing to sacrifice against this energy and it will start affecting the beach side assets and undermining them and taking them away.”

While these works are carried out, signs and barricades will be installed on the beach to ensure safe operation of the project while maintaining public safety for beach users.