Objective
Coastal dunes from Middleton to Emu Beach provide both natural coastal defence against erosion and an environmental habitat. Short term work (sand nourishment or beach scraping) is an opportunity to rapidly improve beach amenity and the erosion buffers at Emu Beach whilst longer term solutions continue to be considered by the City.
Scope
To replace material that erodes from the dunes at Emu Beach each year. Waves, tides and storms erode the dunes and transport the eroded sand westwards along the beach. Eroded material is recovered seasonally from a wide area of the beach, generally below high tide, and transported back to the eroded area.
- The longer-term erosion rates have been around 3,000 cum/yr in this general area.
- In the order of 4,000cum was placed in the dunes pre-winter sand nourishment based on Contractors estimates. Survey analysis suggests in the order of 3,400cum of material was placed ( insitue surveyed volume), which is reasonable consistent with the measured bulk volume of 4,000m3 (i.e. typically ~ 20% bulking).
- Survey analysis and site inspections suggests most of this material eroded during the winter, helping to prevent further erosion of the ’natural dune’ back towards the path.
- There is estimated to be in the order of 1,000m3 of material remaining. All material placed in the corner had eroded.
- The spring nourishment design will aim to provide a similar buffer, focusing on placing sand across the beach profile, which will be feasible during low tides.
Benefits
- Rapid implementation and flexibility (with timing, volumes and cost)
- Manage erosion at its current location and mitigate downdrift impacts
- Built in resilience to coastal storm events
- Guided by science – tracked using high resolution surveys
- Improved beach amenity
Sand Nourishment May 2026
The City of Albany advises that Sand Nourishment works will be undertaken in May at two locations:
- Emu Beach, near the corner of Firth Street and Boongarrie Street
- Emu Beach detached breakwater area, near the corner of Cunningham Street and Boongarrie Street
These works aim to improve beach amenity and resilience to storm events. The works are being undertaken by the City of Albany in partnership with the Department of Transport WA and are funded under the Coastal Adaptation and Protection (CAP) Grant 2025.
To ensure public safety, a section of beach beyond Griffith Street will be closed while works are underway. Heavy machinery will operate from approximately 450 metres south of Griffith Street through to the Emu Beach area. The dual-use path from Middleton Beach to Emu Point will remain open. Machinery access to the detached breakwater area will be via road, with controlled access across the shared path to the beach. Some sections of beach in this area will also be closed during the works.
Please follow all signage and take care in the area.
Works are scheduled from Monday 11 May to Friday 15 May 2026.
Site preparation and establishment works will commence on Friday 8 May. Further updates will be provided if circumstances change.
