THE section just north of the Alkantstrand main beach lost at least 10 metres of coastal dune barrier in the short period between mid-January and the end of February.
The dramatic rate at which dune erosion is escalating was verified this week by Leomat site agent Jan Nel, the man in charge of the geobag rehabilitation process at the blue flag beach.
‘When I was last here the end of a long pipe was barely showing at the dune face. Just six weeks later, it was totally exposed,’ said Nel, explaining how he had ascertained the dimension of dune loss.
‘At this rate the spring tides and storm surges, coupled with rising ocean levels, will demolish our coastal sandbank wall in no time.’
On the positive side, the geobag barrier – now being extended to 300 metres – has clearly achieved its purpose.
However, it would be cost prohibitive to extend the geobag barricade along kilometres of threatened coastline.
A recent beach drive inspection with Ezemvelo KZM Wildlife confirmed the utter destruction of the coastline.
‘Where we once drove along a 150-metre wide stretch of beach, the sand is now gone and we are seeing rocks we never knew were there,’ said District Conservation Officer, Frans Mthembu.
‘Not only have dunes slumped and beach disappeared, but the sea is now littered with hundreds of casuarinas, palm trees and shrubs.
‘The coastline as we knew it is unrecognisable from a decade ago, with numerous beach access points destroyed as ramps have been washed away.’
