Beach upgrade makes waves

RICHARDS Bay’s blue flag beach has received the green light for a R10.5-million upgrade that will see it furnished with new infrastructure, landscapes, walkways and other amenities.

The Alkantstrand Beach Precinct’s current recreational space will almost be doubled.

Funded by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), on the cards are new picnic and braai facilities, boardwalks, refreshment kiosks, shade shelters and event facilities.

Phase one, budgeted at R3.5-million for vegetation and landscaping work, has already been scheduled to start next month.

But some local business figures and the public are apprehensive about the renovations.

At a Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) Richards Bay divisional meeting held on Thursday, attendees highlighted the importance for the city to enforce bylaws, ensure stricter safety measures in the area and prepare for the ‘snowball effects’ as global warming is taking hold of the local shoreline.

‘There is no control over the people using and abusing Richards Bay’s beach and recreational facilities,’ said prominent businessman Frans van der Walt.

‘An entry fee could filter out reckless beach goers and help to prevent a new and expensive precinct from being destroyed in no time.’

Van der Walt also noted the need for boardwalks to be elevated to allow for rising high water marks and aggressive erosion of the seashore.

‘We need to plan ahead so the precinct does not get washed away with the first flood,’ said Van der Walt.

E&D Consulting Services Managing Director Paul Scherzer, responded to the concerns, asserting that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will steer the development clear from these threats.

‘This is an important asset for the region and its facilities should be maintained and upgraded.

‘The project will be executed according to environmental authorisation during phases two and three.

‘Protection of the dune cordon is critical for erosion mitigation, so access to the beach should be through demarcated pedestrian routes to avoid the damaging effects of increased pedestrian traffic on dunes and dune vegetation,’ said Scherzer.

The draft Basic Assessment Report has been prepared and is available for public comment at www.edcs.co.za until next Friday.