Bay beach erosion fears debated

AN outcry over Richards Bay’s disappearing seashore was heard at a public hearing held for the Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Bill at the uMhlathuze Auditorium on Wednesday.

Various proposed changes to the current Coastal Management Act triggered serous concerns for the welfare of Zululand’s thinning coastline.

The severe visible effects of climate change, lack of funding to replenish eroded local sandbars and the 2002 ban on 4×4 vehicle access to beaches were noted by the community as matters needing urgent attention from government.

According to uMhlathuze Ward One Councillor Frik Bosman, Richards Bay will soon lose its beach if government does not act fast.

‘I have lived in Richards Bay since before the construction of the port so I have seen the grave changes to our beaches,’ said Bosman.

‘We’re practically sitting with no beach today.

‘The only way forward is to put the beach back by adding sand from dredge material currently being dumped.

‘I believe a huge amount of money was spent on moving the shipwreck, which could have gone a long way to saving our beach.’

Prominent Richards Bay businessman Frans van der Walt also noted this region is losing significant economic muscle to the vehicle ban on beaches.

‘Harmful impacts on the coastline, such as coastal poaching, could be prevented if easier access to all our beaches was allowed.

‘An assessment has revealed that about 15 000 people are losing out on tourism opportunities owing to this ban.

‘The municipality must do both an EIA (environmental impact assessment) and socio-economic study on our coastline.’

Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Legal Services Director Radia Razack responded to the grievances saying the department will try to mitigate these issues through the three tiers of government.

‘While the State is not responsible for natural processes, we have to confront the effects of climate change on the local beaches with the assistance of the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).

‘Beach protection needs a budget and must also be addressed.

‘The ban on beach driving has caused a lot of emotional responses, but this department has a huge body of science that shows that the ecological damage from vehicles on the coastline takes years to rehabilitate.

‘However, this matter is not closed to discussion and we encourage correspondence.’