Disaster forum identifies weaknesses
Centred on ongoing challenges in managing New Year’s Day traffic flow and beach congestion, a number of weaknesses were identified, along with proposed solutions
BEACH safety dominated discussions at the Disaster Management Advisory Forum meeting held at the Richards Bay Civic Centre on Monday.
Centred on ongoing challenges in managing New Year’s Day traffic flow and beach congestion, a number of weaknesses were identified, along with proposed solutions:
• Absence of SAPS and RTI personnel at certain road points drew City traffic members away from their prescribed tasks
• The wisdom in having a crowd-pulling event (Last Dance continuation) at Alkantstrand was questioned as it exacerbated an already congested situation
• ‘Park & Ride’ options need to be further implemented, with a suggestion that Bayvue Boulevard and Davidson Lane declared ‘no go’ areas for vehicles
• Widening of Bayvue Boulevard was a proposed option, although this would simply add to congestion at the Alkantstrand parking area which, once full, led to chaos as vehicles tried to reverse or make U-turns
• The maximum number of people that can be accommodated at Alkantstrand must be ascertained, as capacity is the issue. However, what to do about those who continue to stream in is a problem
• ‘Lost’ children are a great concern, although it seems some parents use the facility as a baby sitting service
• An average of 2 700 users per day visited Alkantstrand over the season
• Lack of infrastructure at the Bay Hall, as well as dangerous conditions including broken glass, mean no lifeguards were deployed there or at Naval Island
• Failure of Transnet to fence off the T-jetty area led to uncontrolled, dangerous diving off the jetty
• The shoddy state of the lifeguard house at Alkantstrand was a poor image for tourists
• Although 25 temporary lifeguards were sourced, only 13 were locals and most were inexperienced and could only be deployed on a limited basis
• Use of alcohol in the greater beach area seems to now be acceptable as no checks for liquor were conducted. This is an ongoing problem, even out of season and especially on weekends.
Big events a concern
Event planning came under scrutiny, with the forum agreeing the normal municipal Section 4 application for public gatherings was totally inadequate when it came to events that attracted thousands of people.
Issues such as security, crowd control, marshalls, policing, medical provision, underage drinking and others left a lot to be desired and concern was expressed the city simply does not have the capacity to handle massive crowds.
There was consensus that a workshop for event planners should be held, at which all relevant bylaws would be unpacked.
This should be conducted well before the major year-end functions take place.
Other issues
• A seeming indifference to the drought, with little being said about the current water restrictions was worrying, as the public may believe the crisis is over – which is not the case.
Other concerns raised were that the desalination plant is only pumping at 60% capacity, while failure to upgrade all the pumps at Lake Mzingazi has resulted in only a 50% pumping capacity. Water quality issues were also raised as a concern, with the City reporting that a consultant has been employed to assess the purification process.
Meanwhile, the water reticulation pipe upgrade programme at Empangeni is behind schedule due to contractor problems.
• Unplanned electrical outages are increasing and are linked to aging infrastructure.
The city is in reactive ‘firefighting’ mode and has revised its 5- and 10-year upgrade plans, so that it can move from reactive to proactive mode.
Audits on mini substations, of which there are 1 900 in the city, are being conducted every Friday.
It was admitted staff shortages were an issue, but this is being addressed.
• Failure to erect traffic lights at the Melomed intersection on the John Ross Parkway continues to frustrate a wide cross section of the business sector and general public.
The Forum was told the hospital entrance would have to be reconstructed to mirror the opposite (Tangawizi) configuration before traffic lights can be installed.
The general state of roads with respect to potholes, rutting and standing water was noted, with the R102 towards Felixton and sections of the John Ross Parkway highlighted.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
