Emu Point Sand Nourishment

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 2025

The City of Albany advises that Sand Nourishment works have commenced at Emu Beach near the corner of Firth Street and Boongarie Street. These works aim to improve beach amenity and resilience to storm events.

The City of Albany will endeavour to keep access restrictions to a minimum, but these works will require beach access to be closed between Griffiths Street to Emu Point. The dual-use path from Middleton Beach to Emu Point will remain open. 

Please take care in the area.

The civil works begin on Tuesday 20 May 2025. It is expected that this section of beach will be closed until COB Friday 23 May 2025.