Whyalla City Council’s General Manager City Growth Jodie Perone (left), Mayor Phill Stone and General Manager Infrastructure Paul Day are aiming to help residents understand the importance of seaweed and native vegetation remaining on the foreshore.
Protecting our foreshore
Whyalla City Council is aiming to help residents understand the important role foreshore management plays in protecting the city's coastline, infrastructure and natural environment.
Some of the key things that are regularly requested by the community include:
- Relocating seaweed washed up on the beach (technically called beach-cast seagrass wrack)
- Removing native dune vegetation (often mistaken for weeds)
- Managing and relocating sand
However, while washed-up seaweed, dune vegetation and shifting sand can sometimes be seen as a nuisance or unattractive, they are natural and critical parts of a healthy and resilient coastline.
Mayor Phill Stone said council’s foreshore management projects were based on proven coastal management methods approved by environmental authorities and were vital to preserving our coastline for future generations.
"People often notice seaweed and coastal vegetation and wonder why we don’t just remove it altogether, but the reality is these natural materials play a vital role in protecting our beaches," Mayor Stone said.
“Seaweed is not waste material and the vegetation isn’t weeds. They’re both critical in holding sand in place; reducing coastal erosion; providing habitat for wildlife; and contributing to the overall health of our marine environment.
"Likewise, without an active sand management program, we would gradually lose the dune system that protects our foreshore buildings and other assets like the playground, pathways and roads; resulting in significant, ongoing damage and a cost to ratepayers.”
Through annual sand replenishment works, the sand that naturally gathers near the Whyalla marina and boat ramp is relocated back to areas where it’s been lost through wind and tidal activity. This helps maintain the dune system that protects the foreshore from erosion and storm impacts.
Seaweed is also occasionally moved from high-use areas to other sections of the beach where it can continue to provide environmental benefits while reducing impacts on public access.
Mayor Stone said understanding the purpose behind these projects can help residents appreciate the balance council must achieve between environmental protection and community use.
"We understand that some people would prefer a perfectly clear beach, but the science tells us that healthy coastlines rely on natural systems doing what they are meant to do," he said.
"Even if completely removing this material was permitted, this would come at a significant ongoing cost, as more seaweed would wash ashore immediately after, creating a vicious cycle and an irresponsible waste of ratepayer funds.
“The bottom line is that without sand replenishment, beach landscaping and maintaining seaweed, we significantly run the risk of breaching the seawall, as happened about 20 years ago.
“So our goal is to manage these processes responsibly, protect our valuable foreshore and ensure future generations can continue to enjoy one of Whyalla's greatest natural assets.”
You can also view a video outlining the importance of our foreshore management program here.