What began as a response to a spate of break-ins about 12 years ago has grown into a community effort keeping Sheffield Beach safer, cleaner and greener.

The Sheffield Beach Eco Conservancy looks after Colwyn Drive, Tipperary Drive and Llewellyn Road, with residents working together on security, beach cleaning and environmental maintenance.

The initiative began when residents Janet Alexander, John Cole, Wolf Bipp, George Dunn and Rung Button approached security companies about establishing a dedicated patrol. A partnership with a local company followed, with enough homeowners moving their security contracts to the company to enable it to provide a dedicated patrol vehicle and guard.

Committee member Wolf Bipp, who looks after security concerns, says the dedicated patrol has helped to reduce crime.

“Back then there were open cane fields on the inland side, so now that Zululami and Seaton estates have put up security fences we are much better protected from break-ins from that side,” he said.

“Response times are also quicker and the presence of cameras has stopped car break-ins.”

Environmental concerns soon became another priority. Former resident Wendy Jason started a donation scheme to employ a beach cleaner, which eventually developed into the registered non-profit Eco Community Sheffield Beach NPC.

Today, committee member Mary Graham oversees a cleaner who works five days a week from Villa Royale to Christmas Bay cleaning the beach of litter, while workers maintain verges, clear vegetation and remove roadside litter twice a week. The conservancy has also installed dog waste stations at beach access points, maintains beach access paths and reports municipal and environmental problems.

Security measures include cameras at both Colwyn Drive beach parking areas, with monitoring costs covered by the conservancy, as well as an emergency WhatsApp group for residents. The organisation is run by volunteers and its work is funded by homeowners, with residents encouraged to contribute R200 a month or R2 400 a year.

Of about 300 homes in the area, about 60% contribute regularly. Chairperson Rung Button says they would be delighted if more residents got involved and contributed towards protecting and improving the Sheffield Beach neighbourhood.

“Costs rise relentlessly but we are reluctant to push up fees, so if we don’t get more members soon we may be forced to look for ways to cut costs, such as vegetation clearing.”

A big monthly cost is the removal of cuttings, a service not provided by the municipality. Regular newsletters, community groups and activities such as beach clean-ups also help bring neighbours together.