Tidal pool EIA report ‘disappoints’ councillor
Several sites have been proposed for the tidal pool but the EIA has favoured the uMhlanga Lighthouse Reef option.
THE findings of an environmental report in favour of the proposed uMhlanga tidal pool has struck a note of discord among uMhlanga residents and ward councillor, Heinz de Boer. The proposed tidal pool idea was first mooted about eight years ago and has resurfaced because coastal engineers have determined that uMhlanga’s beaches are losing beach sand at a rate of one per cent per annum.
The municipality has suggested the loss of the beach area would be detrimental to uMhlanga’s tourism and a tidal pool, according to the city, is the perfect way to help boost tourism. The city engineers have suggested that the tidal pool takes the shape of an oval, making it usable all year round.
De Boer said he was disappointed by the final Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) report. Several sites have been proposed for the tidal pool but the EIA has favoured the uMhlanga Lighthouse Reef option.
“Despite detailed and technical submissions from me and other residents opposed to the tidal pool project, it would seem the environmental consultants have an answer for every objection. The whole EIA process has for me reinforced the notion that EIA studies are just another way for developers to legally do exactly what they want to do. No amount of objection from those affected will stop development it seems,” he said.
“It would seem the city has left residents with little option, who have to either accept the monstrosity of a pool or challenge the city in court.”
De Boer added the money for the project, reported to be around R30-million, was nothing more than wasteful expenditure.
“To spend such an amount of money on a project that is really nothing more than interference with nature is absurd. I am compiling a dossier that will, within the next two weeks, be given to the Public Protector’s office for investigation. I will not sit by and let the city add to the long list of nice-to-have, unnecessary capital budget projects,” he said.
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