Bay beach erosion fears debated
DEA Legal Services Director, Radia Razack responds to climate change concerns in Richards Bay
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.’
Submission made today to the Department :
Good day Mr. Magwaza,
Further to the Public Meeting held in Richards Bay on 05/02/2014, I wish to add to my comments there, by providing you with a Schedule of Research Documentation on the topic of Vehicular Access and Use of the Beaches.
I am the Founding Chair of the Beach Access Forum, which was formed some years ago by various stakeholders to consider, address and if necessary revisit to status quo of the global ban on vehicular access and use of the beaches following the closure in 2001.
As mentioned in the meeting we have done extensive research on the topic, held a Workshop with a vast attendance by Stakeholders and include those herein.
Attached please find the following :
• Research Documentation : The information is all Publicly knowledge and is available from the sources. Alternatively, I would be able to supply each and every document listed.
• Stakeholders involved. The Stakeholders included local, Provincial and National from various bodies and entities.
• Workshop held with Stakeholders on 25 August 2009 :
o Workshop Programme
o Presentation – Background & Purpose
o Presentation – Legal research
o Presentation – Legal notes
o Presentation – Zululand Shore Angling Association
o Notes / Summary of discussions in Workshop (as recorded by Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry)
Dr. Bandile Mkhize, Chief Executive Officer of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife have been reported in the media to be supportive of the opening of the beaches for use and for expanding the Environmental Managing capability through the Communities and Users of the beach. Similarly, in various meetings I attended where Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff was in attendance, they also pledged their support for our initiative and concept.
A huge amount could be added to the above and the attached, but as Advocate Radia Razack responded in the meeting, we wish to hereby open debate and engagement on the topic. We look forward to hearing from yourselves.
We see the way forward for the initiative to be :
• Acceptance and agreement with the need to further engage with ourselves and other stakeholders if deemed necessary. Possibly hosting a Workshop in this region ?
• Undertaking of Specialist Studies to be agreed upon at the Workshop. These studies should include : Socio-Economic Impact Study as well as Environmental Impact Assessments of/for the Recreational Access area – all as previously identified and mutually supported by all stakeholders.
• Funding remains the issue, and we respectfully request that Government accept the responsibility and the costs for the Studies and engagement.
Regards,
Frans van der Walt (B.Sc (QS), Pr.QS (2167), PMAQS, MRICS)
QS2000 Plus (Quantity Surveyors & Project Managers)