Planning for KDM beach overhaul begins
The development plan will focus on improving infrastructure, facilities, traffic, spacial layout and landscaping as well as safety and security.
KwaDukuza municipality has promised that beach facilities will be improved during the next five years.
A short walk on any KwaDukuza beach reveals that they are not equipped to cater for the influx of visitors over the festive season.
Resulting traffic congestion and ageing infrastructure detracts from the beach experience.
To combat this the municipality has adopted a beach node development plan to make beaches more visitor friendly.
The beaches to be upgraded include: Salmon Bay, Willard Beach, Thompson’s Bay, Chaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, Sheffield Beach, Tinley Manor, Blythedale and Zinkwazi.
DA Ward 22 councillor Malcolm Hubner said the current state of the beaches could drive holidaymakers away.
“Our beaches are our main form of tourism attraction. However, KwaDukuza beaches cannot cater for the large numbers of people that we see during the festive season.
“One example of this would be Blythedale where hundreds of people arrive by bus and taxis but have to walk a distance to get to the beach because there is no demarcated parking facility available.
“Traffic is redirected to deal with the huge volume of people forcing residents to use longer routes to get in and out of their homes and that is an inconvenience,” he said.
The development plan will focus on improving infrastructure, facilities, traffic, spacial layout and landscaping as well as safety and security.
“There are currently assessments being done including water and electricity and the age of each system.
Existing infrastructure like fencing and boardwalks are also being assessed. They are looking at making available braai facilities, play equipment, telephones and tidal pools,” said Hubner.
A major issue of traffic congestion is also being planned for.
“Road networks, pedestrian facilities, cycling facilities, access for emergency and service vehicles as well as parking areas are also being looked into.”
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