Two Blue Flags taken down

THE high-flying Blue Flags at Southport beach and Lucien beach have been taken down.

The Hibiscus Coast Municipality boasted six Blue Flag beaches: Southport, Umzumbe, Lucien, Marina and Trafalgar, with Ramsgate as a pilot beach.

Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s spokesman, Simon Soboyisa said the municipality is currently attending to the issue of repairing Southport’s building and, to this end, is currently waiting for the mini-tender to close in two weeks’ time before appointing a service provider to do repairs.

“We regret the period of time which has since lapsed before proper repairs were effected,” he said.

He continued to explain that the Blue Flag at Lucien beach was taken down for a similar reason. “We will work hard to ensure that the status is regained once the outstanding remedial work is complete,” he said.

Ted Knott, Wessa’s national coastal programme manager, said it was standard procedure. He explained that an inspection was done and, as certain requirements were not up to standard, the flags had been temporarily taken down until the issues were rectified.

Eyebrows have also been raised regarding the R400 000 alterations done to the Southport building last year. It also appears the original plans for the building, as highlighted in an article in the Herald last year, have not materialised. Problems such as a poorly equipped first aid room, no radio and shoddy workmanship are among many issues that are needing urgent attention.