Disgruntled Elaleni Coastal Forest Estate residents continued their protest against neighbouring Auria’s Coral Cove Senior Living development outside the entrance of Zululami and Seaton on Friday morning.

Earlier this week, The North Coast Courier broke the story of the devastating consequences of the red sand and dust from the Coral Cove construction site, causing severe pollution and health hazards.

Residents told of the destruction to their properties, possessions, including furniture, appliances, gardens, and vehicles. The recent heavy winds devastated the estate, and the residents are fed up.

They say the clouds of red dust are not only causing financial loss, but affect their health and well-being. Images of homes, possessions, and even a baby’s nappy and pets covered in red sand are circulated on various resident WhatsApp groups.

On September 11, iLembe district municipality air quality officer Ravind Lawton of the Department of Environmental Affairs met with senior Auria management to assess if the construction site was compliant with its Environmental Management Programme (EMP).

Lawton wrote to The Courier, saying the results of the findings have been sent to the provincial authority for assessment. If Auria is found non-compliant, the government could shut down the R800-million development.

According to the National Environmental Management Act of 1998, this could result in financial, and possibly criminal implications if Auria is deemed to have flouted their EMP.

Auria CEO Barry Kaganson on Tuesday sent an email to Patrick Mooney, the Elaleni protest group’s spokesperson, assuring him that Auria “is doing everything we can to contain the dust”.

Mooney, however, disputed this claim, highlighting the never-ending pick-up, moving and tipping of sand by trucks on the site throughout the day.

“The red sand is ruining the quality of our lives,” said Mooney. “It is affecting people’s health, not to mention the damage to our homes.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Kaganson went on the record during a 16-minute phone call with the Courier and also wrote a detailed email answering questions in response to the Elaleni protests and accusations of non-compliance.

He gave the assurance that Auria is compliant with environmental building regulations and that the company is concerned about the health issues and damage to property caused by the sand and dust.

“[Auria] has external specialist environmental consultants appointed who advise on dust control measures being implemented, and monitor compliance,” said Kaganson.

“We are responsible developers and take our responsibility for both the health and well-being of our neighbours and environment extremely seriously. We take significant steps to ensure legal and practical compliance.”

The residents’ picketing and The Courier’s exposé of the problem seemingly had some effect. On Friday morning, residents noted water tankers hosing down sand stockpiles on the boundary line, something not done before. Small patches of grass were also being planted, but not in an area that will help contain the dust.

Residents feel it’s too little, too late. In September, Nichola Hodgson moved from The Woods to another part of Elaleni because of the constant dust blowing into her house.

She described Monday’s dust storm as “hectic” and a “nightmare”. She said the estate looked like a dust-patch.

“There was a cloud of dust hanging over Elaleni on Monday and the red sand is still a bother.”

*This article was amended after it was published. The article previously stated that on November 26, 2024, iLembe district municipality air quality officer Ravind Lawton of the Department of Environmental Affairs met with senior Auria management to assess if the construction site was compliant with its Environmental Management Programme (EMP). This was amended to reflect that the actual date was September 11, 2024.

The North Coast Courier apologises for any confusion caused.

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