Coastal Management in South Australia

Adelaide’s Beaches

Adelaide’s coastline was originally a natural sand dune system. Winter storms would erode the dunes and shift the sand into offshore sandbars, which would then migrate back onshore during calmer whether.The dune system at Seacliff 1900

By building on top of the natural dune systems, we interrupted the natural cycle of dune erosion and rebuilding. The sand was now “locked up” beneath coastal development.

Development on the Brighton dunes 1937

Storms still caused erosion, but now infrastructure was at risk.Somerton storm erosion 1953

The prevailing south westerly wind and waves drive sand northwards along Adelaide’s beaches.

Largs Bay 1943

If we did nothing, our southern beaches would disappear as the natural processes shifted the sand north.The same location at Largs Bay in 2012, showing the build up of sand on the northern beaches

The Modern Era of Coastal Management

Local Councils have historically been responsible for managing South Australia’s coast.

However, storms in the 1940s, 50s and 60s caused major damage along Adelaide’s beaches. This led to Local and State Government jointly funding a major Adelaide University study into the management of Adelaide’s beaches.Glenelg storm damage 1953

The resulting 1970 report, now known as The Culver Report, recommended the establishment of the Coast Protection Board and a strategy of beach replenishment: collecting sand from areas where it builds up and returning it to areas of erosion.Sand carting at Tennyson 1980

Since its establishment in 1973, the Coast Protection Board has managed Adelaide’s beaches using this strategy of beach replenishment, supplemented by protection works such as seawalls and offshore breakwaters when necessary.

The Board also provides grants to Councils in regional areas to assist with coastal management projects.

Offshore sand being pumped onto Brighton Beach, 1984

In 2005, following a major review of the management of Adelaide’s beaches, the State Government adopted the Adelaide’s Living Beaches Strategy 2005-2025.

The strategy continues to be based on beach replenishment supplemented by protection works, but a sand pumping system is now used instead of trucks along 9km of our busiest beaches.

Sand pumping discharge, Somerton 2016

A changing environment

A series of major storms have impacted South Australia in 2016. The sand buffers built up by the Adelaide’s Living Beaches strategy meant that damage along Adelaide’s beaches was relatively minor compared to historic storms of lesser magnitude.

Far left: Henley Beach storm damage 1953

Left: Henley Beach, post storm, 2016

However the 2016 storm events caused significant damage to regional coastal infrastructure.

Wyomi Beach erosion 2016 (near Kingston SE)

Hardwicke Bay 2016

Hardwicke Bay erosion 2016

The damage caused by these storms is typical of the increased rates of coastal erosion being observed throughout South Australia. As a result, demand for State Government investment in coastal management has never been greater.

The FutureRising sea levels and changing climate patterns are creating new coastal management challenges. These challenges will continue to increase as our climate changes.

The Coast Protection Board will continue to strive for the sustainable use of the South Australian coast for the benefit of society, the economy and the environment.

This is achieved through the Board’s three strategic priorities:

1 Adaptation of existing development to coastal hazards and the impacts of climate change;

2 Ensure new development is not at risk from current and future coastal hazards;

3 Plan for resilience in coastal ecosystems to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

DEWNRcoastprotectionboard@sa.gov.au www.environment.sa.gov.au