Posted on February 7, 2019
The Whyalla City Council will begin its annual foreshore sand replenishment project on Monday.
Earthmoving contractors and their associated machinery (dump trucks and excavators) are operating along the Whyalla Foreshore until Friday, February 8.
Council’s Project Manager Landscape, Sam Bourne said the work was done now to dodge the school holidays and make the most of the seagrass (beach wrack) that is prevalent at this time of the year.
Council works closely with the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) in regards to the foreshore and environmental issues such as beach wrack.
It is generally preferred that beach wrack is left in place in the coastal environment.
Beach wrack is considered an essential component of the coastal ecosystem and provides many ecosystem services.
The presence of beach wrack also contributes to the protection and stabilisation of the shoreline and coastal dunes by serving as a physical barrier between the sea and the dune system.
However, it is acknowledged that sometimes the presence of large amounts of wrack may create a hazard or negatively affect the amenity of an area.
Approved actions such Whyalla’s sand replenishment program can be put in place to utilise the wrack in a sustainable and useful manner.
“This work happens at this time of the year so we aren’t affecting kids on school holidays and to also utilise the beach wrack which is naturally shed this time of year,” Sam said.
“It wouldn’t be environmentally sound to remove the wrack regularly and it is eventually taken back out to sea through natural processes anyway.
“We work with DEW to ensure our foreshore management strategy is sustainable and will not negatively impact on the surrounding environment and its inhabitants.”
Since 2013 the Whyalla City Council has done an annual sand replenishment project in conjunction with DEWNR’s Coast Protection Branch.
Sand replenishment is recognised as world’s best practice as a way of improving the quality of the beach and protecting beach side assets.
It is done all over the world including most of Adelaide’s metropolitan beaches with similar practices.
This year’s sand replenishment project involves the harvesting and placement of 5000 cubic metres of sand and seaweed blend, to be placed along the section of seawall stretching from Roberts Terrace to the Beach Café covering any exposed sandbags that have recently been installed.
The harvested sand and seaweed is to be deposited up to 400mm to 500mm below the top of the seawall with the sand blend to be shaped to gently slope down towards the sea up to a distance of approximately 10m from the seawall.
Access to the beach is still available but Council asks those going to the foreshore to be mindful of the works and take note of all signage and directions given by the contractors. Certain sections of the beach will be unavailable at various times.
Any questions regarding these works can be directed to Sam Bourne at Council on 8640 3444.
Source: Whyalla News
