More public input for Bluff beach upgrade plans

THE next round of public consultation meetings about the Bluff beach upgrade is set to take place in July.

Following the concerted effort of many South Durbanites, the municipality made the decision last year to greenlight the upgrade of the beachfront from Garvies to Treasure Beach. The first round of public participation meetings was held in November and six months later, the community has been left waiting in eager anticipation for the draft plans to be revealed.

Wondering why so much time had elapsed between meetings, ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois approached the municipality for clarity. “According to Themba Msomi, one of the council officials who is heading the project, the next stage of the community consultation process regarding proposals for the upgrade of Bluff beaches is expected to commence in July. Msomi informed me that the process had become protracted as a result of the input required by various council departments, such as water, traffic, legal and environment. A comprehensive draft was being collated and would be presented so as to inform the focus of further deliberation,” said Du Bois.

It is expected that the draft plans will be shown to residents, who will be requested to make further input. Earlier this year, it was announced by Bilal Haq, of Professional Urban Designers from City Architects, that the concept designs had been drawn-up and listed the challenges at each beach, seasonal activities, the needs of the community and project recommendations, and environmental consultants were set to peruse the plans.