Sand nourishment planned for Mettams Pool
In late March 2026, the City of Stirling will undertake sand nourishment at Mettams Pool by using excess sand from Trigg Beach to preserve beach amenities and reduce the impact of coastal erosion.
Sand nourishment is a low-impact and cost-effective coastal management practice where sand is added to eroding beaches to build a buffer dune to help reduce beach erosion during storm season – protecting coastal assets and community infrastructure while maintaining recreational areas.
Mettams Pool was identified by the State Government as one of two coastal erosion hotspots in the City of Stirling in 2019.
Each summer and autumn, a natural surplus of sand builds up at the upper back part of Trigg Beach, providing an ideal source of sand to replenish Mettams Pool without significantly affecting Trigg’s surf break.
From Sunday 22 March through to 1 April, the City will truck approximately 5000m3 of sand from Trigg Beach to Mettams Pool beach via the Saunders Street carpark, with most of the work taking place overnight to minimise disruption and ensure public safety.
Saunders Street carpark and a portion of the Trigg Beach (south) carpark will be closed while this work takes place with signage in place onsite, noting all major pedestrian access ways will remain open.
While local traffic access to properties will be maintained, visitors and residents are encouraged to avoid the area where possible for safety reasons, while trucks transport the sand from Trigg Beach to the Saunders Street carpark.
The upcoming sand nourishment is a short-term measure to protect Mettams Pool during the upcoming winter storm season.
A report detailing investigations and costings for more permanent solutions at Mettams Pool and Watermans Bay will be presented to Council this month.
Possible solutions could include a more significant rebuild of the beach and dunes using sand from offshore, an inshore reef, seawall, building out some of the headlands or a combination of the above.
