Dredging trial to recycle sand at West Beach

Works to replenish West Beach with more sand will continue from Monday (July 29) in line with the recommendations of the independent Adelaide Beach Management Review.

The beach will be boosted with 200,000 cubic meters of sand over the next 12 months following the review’s findings, which were announced in May.

The works will combat erosion, protect infrastructure and improve amenity at West Beach and Henley Beach South to support coastal communities and businesses.

Work to deliver 15,000m3 of quarry sand to Henley Beach, via the Henley Sailing Club, has also recommenced after the July school holidays. This work is expected to be completed by the end of August.

As announced in the 2024-25 State Budget, the State Government will spend $20.7 million this financial year to restore West Beach with quarry sand while also conducting a dredging trial to recycle sand that drifts north along the coast.

The trial will dredge sand from a nearshore zone between Taperoo and North Haven and deliver it south by barge to West Beach, where it will be pumped near the shoreline.

The dredging trial, which was a key recommendation of the Adelaide Beach Management Review, is expected to run for 8 weeks and be completed by early November 2024.

The State Government has committed to delivering 550,000m3of sand to West Beach over the next 5 years.