Stretch of Middleton and Emu Beach temporarily closed for sand nourishment works to replace eroded area

A stretch of Middleton and Emu beaches will be closed for three days later this month to replace and relocate sand that has eroded after an “unusual” number of easterly and southerly swells.

The sand nourishment works will close the beach between Griffiths Street and Emu Point from May 20 to May 23, with all access points blocked off.

The dual-use path from Middleton Beach to Emu Point will remain open.

City of Albany executive director of infrastructure, development and environment Paul Camins said the works were an ongoing measure to address erosion and improve beach amenity near the seawall at Emu Point Beach.

“This area has experienced significant erosion this year due to an unusual number of southerly and easterly swells,” he said.

“Sand that naturally accumulates near Griffiths Street will be relocated back to Emu Point using trucks and loaders, timed with favourable tidal conditions.

“For public safety, the beach between Griffiths Street and the seawall will be closed from Tuesday to Friday, with equipment fenced off daily.

“Sand nourishment is a short-term coastal management solution to stabilise erosion and protect infrastructure while long-term strategies are developed.”

The works are an annual effort to recover sand that waves, tides and storms erode from the dunes and transport westwards along the beach.

The city said the increased erosion was not linked to the artificial surf reef construction at Middleton Beach as the reef is designed to work with, rather than disrupt, natural coastal processes.