ARGUABLY the City’s greatest asset and tourist attraction, Alkantstrand is to lose its Blue Flag status for the festive season.
And the blame is being laid squarely at the door of Transnet National Ports Authority’s lack of dredge sand replenishment, despite commitments and assurances given to Council that the once-stunning beach would be ready for the December holiday season.
Disappointed City Mayor, Mdu Mhlongo and councillors at Tuesday’s Exco meeting resolved to not even bother to re-apply for the prestigious Blue Flag status.
Alkantstrand has fallen into gross decay over the past 18 months, with beach sand continually washed away during spring tides and surge storms.
Placing of sand bags to stem the sea’s ruthless advance has proved futile.
Despite a long-standing memorandum of understanding to pump dredge spoil (sourced offshore) on a regular basis, this has not been done.
At least one million cubic metres per year is required, but there has been minimal or zero pumping of dredge spoils onto the beach at Alkantstrand over the past two years.
At least half a million cubic metres of dredged soil was promised between June and August but this never materialised.
Unsafe for bathing
Without any beach sand barrier, the coastal dune wall has been mercilessly eroded by the ocean, sending concreted fence poles and other debris tumbling onto the bathing area – much of it dangerously hidden below the surface at high tide.
Dredgers being out of commission is often the excuse, yet the super dredger Isandlwana has been active for at least the past month at Richards Bay, without any sand being pumped back onto the beach north of the harbour.
To compound matters, the old TNPA dredging pipeline is now a rusted, sharply dangerous eyesore of scrap metal on the beach, while the new, unused pipeline hangs unsupported in the air, surely a failure waiting to happen when the weight of pumped sand and water does eventually pass through.
Of note, the Exco recommendation reads: ‘Council only applies for full Blue Flag once the rehabilitation of Alkantstrand has been completed and it is deemed safe for use once again’ – implying that it is now not safe for use.
DID YOU KNOW?
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
BBM – 25A0BF5A or 2B7993C8
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
