Now in the third week of the 10-week project, contractor Leomat Construction will use about 1,200 sand-filled bags to strengthen the eroded bank.
“We have already placed about 175 bags and filled an additional 220 bags,” said site agent, Jan Nel.
A total of nine men and three grading machines are being used to complete the project within the time-frame.
The slipway, which lifesavers use to launch onto the beach in case of emergencies and transport emergency equipment onto the beach, was washed away when the river diverted amid heavy rains in the beginning of December 2012.
The process was put out to tender by Ethekwini Municipality, but it was more than 18 months for work to begin. This was because council awarded the tender to the second lowest response, after it found the lowest tender lacking in both experience and capacity. The person who put in the lowest tender lodged an appeal and no work could proceed until the appeal was heard.
According to ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge, the municipality won the appeal and the work was allocated to Leomat Construction.
“Leomat has extensive experience in this field and was responsible for similar repairs in the area that include the recent embankment repair on the railway line and the repair of the embankment at The Boardwalk complex in Winklespruit, as well as the temp repairs on same the beach in December, 2013. The project shouldn’t take too long, with the ramp the real challenge,” said Cllr Beetge. “This should be the solution to the problem, although with nature you never know,” said Jan.
The problem is the river flows in front of the clubhouse in rainy season and erodes the bank. Jan has dug below sea level before placing the bags to strengthen the bank, to combat this.
Once the bags are placed, the area will be filled with top soil and grass planted. “The area should be about the original size.”
A new stairway from the grassed area to the beach will be built to complete the project.
“Winkle beach is still open to the public while work is progressing,” said Jan. “We try and accommodate the public.”
