City shifts sand to Emu Point

The City of Albany is confident a trial of shifting thousands of cubic metres of sand from Middleton Beach will help combat long-term erosion problems at Emu Point.

Starting next Tuesday, the City will move excess sand from Ellen Cove to the western end of the sea wall at Emu Point which has suffered significant erosion.

The sand renourishment trial, which includes moving up to 1000 cubic metres of sand, is the latest temporary strategy before a permanent solution is found.

City of Albany executive director of works and services Matt Thomson said the trial could become a long-term solution if found to be effective.

“The sand will provide a buffer to existing assets and needs to be done as a priority,” he said.

“The exercise will serve as a trial to determine how productively we are able to transfer sand along the beach and to also determine whether the sand renourishment will sustain itself for a reasonable period.

“This information will be valuable to determining a long-term solution.”

Mr Thomson said the community was supportive of the trial after meeting with the Friends of Emu Point group on Tuesday evening to announce plan.

“Sand renourishment could be a long-term solution,” he said.

“We do know we can’t leave it as it is as it will eat further.”

The City has also applied for funding from the Department of Transport for a two-year, data-collection program and remedial works at Emu Point and is expecting a response in September.

Mr Thomson said relocating the sand would also improve Ellen Cove and clear drainage blockages which have become progressively worse over recent years.

Friends of Emu Point president Ken Drummond said the trial was positive.

“They will get some measure then on how fast the sand is moving away,” Mr Drummond said.

The City employed a consultant last month to conduct further studies after a report last year recommended long-term solutions including a $27 million artificial reef.