Swimming banned at Alkantstrand

THE region’s prime recreational attraction is fast disappearing as tidal surges continue to devastate Alkantstrand – the preferred destination for most December holiday-makers.

Every day over the past week has seen high tide wave action eat away more and more of the beach, which is now barely accessible and is closed to bathers.

The dune erosion has also seen trees and concreted fence poles tumble into the sea, where they now pose serious dangers to swimmers and surfers.

Pushed like match sticks by the strong side wash, much of the debris is now piled onto the dolosse.

And while little can be done to prevent the unstoppable force of nature-fuelled rising tides from melting ice-caps, questions are being asked as ‘too little, too late’ mitigation measures are being discussed.

More than 500 000 cubic metres of sand was to have been deposited onto the blue flag beach this year, but this has nor materialised.

City Ward 2 Councillor Alen Viljoen was dismayed to hear that no replenishment of dredge sand onto the beach at Alkantstrand has taken place since May this year, after an oil pollution incident in the Port of Richards Bay.

Transnet NPA was instructed by the Department of Environmental Affairs to refrain from pumping sand for fear of contamination.

However, the dredger is expected to resume activities by Saturday.

‘In the meantime the City of uMhlathuze is also looking at different ways of protecting the beaches,’ said Beach Manager Shakes Hiraman.

‘A presentation was held on Friday last week where we discussed purchasing Geotubes, which are extremely costly, but will definitely help in the long run.

‘Many locals believe that building a pier at Palm Beach, north of Alkantstrand, will trap sand and prevent it from washing northwards.

‘In the meantime we have banned swimming at Alkantstrand but adjacent Newark beach is open and protected.’