Posted on: 09 January 2024
The Opposition is calling on the Malinauskas Labor Government to immediately release the review into the management of sand along Adelaide’s coastline, as we experience another summer without a long-term plan to save our beaches from erosion.
The final report of the Adelaide Beach Management Review was due to be handed down by the end of last year, but more than a week into 2024 there are no signs of an outcome.
Sand on Adelaide’s coastline naturally drifts from south to north which requires ongoing maintenance. The former Liberal Government had a fully-funded and designed sand recycling pipeline as a long-term solution which Labor scrapped when they came to office.
The first stage of the new $10 million West Beach Surf Life Saving Club opened last month, with the redevelopment only proceeding following years of delays after the former Liberal Government committed to replenishing the beach’s sand stocks.
Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Environment, David Speirs, said it’s high time the Malinauskas Labor Government comes up with a long-term plan to safeguard our beaches.
"The former Liberal Government had a long-term solution to fix the sand erosion plaguing some of Adelaide’s most popular beaches – but Labor axed it and have been hiding behind delays and reviews ever since,” Mr Speirs said.
“The clock isn’t just ticking, it’s sounding an alarm for the future of our beaches – but Peter Malinauskas and Susan Close seem content to just keep their heads stuck in the sand.
“If Labor hadn’t canned our solution, we would likely have a sand recycling pipeline in place between Semaphore and West Beach right now.
“Our beaches can’t afford to be the victims of Labor’s inaction any longer. They must release the review and get on with the job of delivering a long-term solution to protect our coastline.”
Member for Colton, Matt Cowdrey, said local residents are fed up with the uncertainty while being forced to watch their beaches deteriorate.
“The West Beach Surf Life Saving Club is celebrating a new chapter, with a fantastic new facility that will be enjoyed for generations to come – but my great fear is there will be no beach left out the front of it,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government said this review would be completed last November after announcing it some twenty months ago, but they still haven’t come forward with a legitimate, viable, long-term solution.
“Before the election, our community had certainty with a long-term fix underway that would see our coastlines replenished – but Labor pulled the plug and left us stranded.
“Peter Malinauskas and his Labor Government need to act now before our beaches completely disappear.”