Our Coast – ongoing activities and strategies
Beach replenishment
Under natural conditions, beaches are constantly changing. Beach replenishment is required when the natural process of sand movement is inhibited due to foreshore development or to address erosion caused by storms. It involves taking sand from beaches where it is building up and placing it at beaches that would otherwise erode. If action isn’t taken, ongoing erosion could result in extensive damage to reserves, roads and buildings built on the foreshore. The state government and many coastal councils undertake beach replenishment activities by sand carting or pumping using specialised infrastructure. Find out more about how we are replenishing Adelaide’s metropolitan beaches.
Dune rehabilitation
Sand dunes play a vital role in protecting our beaches, coastline and infrastructure from the destructive forces of coastal storms, wind and waves. They also provide a future supply of sand to our beaches and an environment for many coastal plants and animals. Dune rehabilitation is carried out by councils and volunteer groups across South Australia.
Protection structures
Structures like groynes, breakwaters and seawalls can be used where appropriate to help trap sand and protect infrastructure:
Harbour management
Harbours, marinas and boat ramps are valuable tourism and commercial assets. Their presence can also impact on local coastal processes. These impacts are considered during the planning stages of a project and minimised. Management of harbours and marinas includes:
Sustainable development
Ensuring new and proposed development is sustainable is an important aspect of coastal management. In 1991, the South Australian Government adopted the Coast Protection Board’s Policy on coast protection and new coastal development. The components of the policy relevant to coastal development and land use were then incorporated into South Australia’s planning system in 1994. Any new development proposal or substantial changes to coastal land is referred to the Coast Protection Board for comment. Find out more about coastal planning and development.
Coastal climate change adaptation
The Coast Protection Board factors in the need to adapt to a changing climate into every aspect of its work. A key aspect of the Board’s coastal development policy is the requirement for new coastal developments to allow for sea level rise. New developments must now be protected against 0.3m of sea level rise (projected for 2050), and be capable of being protected against a further 0.7m of sea level rise (projected for 2100).
Monitoring
The Coast Protection Board and the department undertakes annual monitoring and evaluation to collect valuable data to inform management decisions. Learn more about these monitoring programs.