Sand loss from beach drains

• Storm water drains are washing away sand at Old Pier beach which is earmarked as an issue for future upgrades.

June 21, 2023

By Taylor Clyne 

Dorset Council is in the throes of a $487,000 storm water drain upgrade in Bridport to meet increasing demand of water surfaces from building activity over the years but is enough being done to tackle issues. 

The drainage system currently undergoing a revamp flows out over Eastmans Beach taking water from locations including Bentley Street, Westwood, South Street, the football grounds and part of Main Street.

Acting Director of Infrastructure Craig Wheeler said the existing discharge on the southern end of Eastmans Beach remains unchanged. 

“This work is expected to be finished by mid-July and may be upgraded further with future stages,” he said.

Local resident Jeff Jennings mooted the problems facing other drainage locations along the foreshore which are causing issues. 

“The upgrade is good but also a problem because many of these drains empty directly on to beaches causing a huge loss of sand. 

“This problem needs to be faced by making sure storm water drains flow out over rocky parts of the foreshore, not beaches. 

“Old Pier Beach and Mattingleys Beach have these drains that scour sand. 

“Croquet Lawn Beach and Eastmans Beach have their drains at the side of the beach so avoiding this problem,” he said.

Mr Jennings’ opinion is if storm water could instead be drained into the river it would help keep sand from building up in the shipping channel.

Mr Wheeler said a realignment to discharge into the estuary was never considered.

“While rationalisation of ocean outfalls is desirable the diverting of this catchment to the Brid River Estuary is considered impractical and a poor use of limited Council resources.”

Adding that further stages and storm water works are planned for 2023/24.

“These are in the vicinity of Main, Westwood and South Street’s however dependent on funding availability,” he concluded.

Mayor Howard added that in the short term these drains on sand won’t be touched.

“In the future it would be better for the outflow to be directed on to the rocky areas rather than onto the sandy beaches. 

“That is a major task that will require significant funding for redirection.”

The above figure is for upgrades taking place over a two year period.