All too often we complain about a million little issues without realising some of the hard work that goes in behind the scenes to keep the Dolphin Coast beautiful and functioning properly.
Last week Friday KDM opened the refurbished toilets at Chaka’s Cove, which had been standing in a state of disrepair for years.
This was just one example of work done by KDM, while other groups such as the Dolphin Coast Conservancy (DCC) and the UIP are also constantly at work beautifying Ballito and Salt Rock.
Director of Community Services and Public Amenities Njabulo Ngwane said while the project had been plagued by budget and legal issues, they had put in a concerted effort with the festive season approaching and had managed to get the facility up to scratch again in just three weeks.
“The cost of this project was R155 000 including vat,” said Ngwane.
KDM deputy mayor Dolly Govender was on hand to open the toilets. She said while she knew it was just a first small step, with the growth of the Dolphin Coast it was definitely the right time to take another look at beach infrastructure.
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“I ask the public to appreciate that these things cannot happen overnight. There are always challenges such as budget constraints, objections from the public, environmental impact assesments etc.
“However, I think we have one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and we should take care of it so that we can all continue to enjoy it.”
Meanwhile, Ngwane went on to say that KDM had plans to tackle the infrastructure woes of Thompson’s Bay but that at present, they were waiting for the holiday period to end before attempting any major repairs.
“Of course, we will make sure the area is safe and will maintain the temporary structures. In January we will then tackle it full scale.”
On another front, the DCC’s Di Jones said this year the they were delighted to have been given funding from a Trust Fund, which enabled them to undertake the rehabilitation of a wetland which had really become degraded, overgrown and was being used as a refuse dump.
“The area in question is behind the library at Salt rock, and involves a stream which comes from the Simbithi Eco Estate, running through to join two other streams onto the Salt Rock Beach.
“The task was much more challenging than we originally estimated, and took four workers five days a week for two months to clear the site.
“We could not have achieved this task without the generous assistance we received from Dolphin Coast Waste Management, who supplied us with a tipper truck and driver whenever we requested one.”
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Jones said most of the clearing was of alien invasive weeds, so the truck had to dispose of the loads at the landfill in New Guelderland, as invasive plants may not be composted, which is what they would usually do.
“We also received donations of trees and shrubs from the Parks and Gardens Department of KwaDukuza Municipality, plus a private landscaper, who came to the party with lots of gorgeous indigenous lilies and other suitable plants for a wetland environment.”
The maintenance of the wetland is done by four DCC workers once every two weeks, and Jones said it was very rewarding last week to see two little boys running and playing next to the stream in the newly re-created eco system.
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