Posted on November 3, 2025
The Adelaide coastline is a highly modified environment as a result of urban development covering much of the original coastal dune system, impacting the natural coastal ecosystem. The state government has been actively managing Adelaide’s coastline for the last 50 years to protect property, the foreshore and infrastructure from storms while also providing sandy beaches for community enjoyment. Active management results in a beach system that is more resilient to storm damage.
The sand on Adelaide’s beaches naturally moves from south to north, driven by wind and waves. This causes erosion at the southern and central sections of the coastline, such as at Seacliff, West Beach and Henley Beach South, and a build-up of sand on other parts of the coastline, such as Glenelg, Semaphore and Largs Bay.
For half a century sand along the coastline has been moved from where it builds up to where it is needed. As necessary additional sand has also been brought into the system from external sources such as quarries and off-shore deposits.
In the southern section of the coastline sand is moved using an underground sand recycling pipeline from Glenelg to southern beaches to maintain dunes and keep those beaches sandy. Trucks are used elsewhere to replenish beaches.
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.
Read and watch videos about Adelaide Beach Management.
