The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality have reached an agreement on urgent temporary measures to address the ongoing coastal erosion threat at Diaz Beach.
The provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said it recognised the serious risks posed by the erosion and the need to protect people, nearby properties and public infrastructure.
As an immediate intervention, Mossel Bay Municipality has proposed installing geotextile sandbags to stabilise the affected dune and reduce the risk of further collapse.
The temporary measure is aimed at preventing properties and infrastructure from collapsing onto the beach, while also helping to reduce the danger to members of the public entering an area that remains unsafe.
The provincial government said both authorities agreed that a permanent solution to the coastal erosion problem is needed. A Basic Assessment process currently underway will help determine the most appropriate long-term intervention.
Department spokesperson Rudolf van Jaarsveldt stressed that the proposed sandbags should not be viewed as a permanent solution.
He warned that coastal protection structures can interfere with the natural movement of sand between the dune, beach and nearshore areas. If poorly designed or managed, such measures could contribute to further erosion, beach narrowing and the eventual loss of the beach as a public amenity.
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell has decided to comply with a court order permitting the sandbags to be installed as an urgent temporary measure.
The final long-term approach will be determined through the Basic Assessment process in the coming months. This could potentially result in the removal of the sandbags, while options such as sand replenishment may also be considered.
The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality said they would continue working together to manage the immediate risks at Diaz Beach while developing longer-term measures to improve coastal management in the area.
Diaz Beach remains closed to the public due to unstable dune slopes and severe weather erosion.
The provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said it recognised the serious risks posed by the erosion and the need to protect people, nearby properties and public infrastructure.
As an immediate intervention, Mossel Bay Municipality has proposed installing geotextile sandbags to stabilise the affected dune and reduce the risk of further collapse.
The temporary measure is aimed at preventing properties and infrastructure from collapsing onto the beach, while also helping to reduce the danger to members of the public entering an area that remains unsafe.
The provincial government said both authorities agreed that a permanent solution to the coastal erosion problem is needed. A Basic Assessment process currently underway will help determine the most appropriate long-term intervention.
Department spokesperson Rudolf van Jaarsveldt stressed that the proposed sandbags should not be viewed as a permanent solution.
He warned that coastal protection structures can interfere with the natural movement of sand between the dune, beach and nearshore areas. If poorly designed or managed, such measures could contribute to further erosion, beach narrowing and the eventual loss of the beach as a public amenity.
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell has decided to comply with a court order permitting the sandbags to be installed as an urgent temporary measure.
The final long-term approach will be determined through the Basic Assessment process in the coming months. This could potentially result in the removal of the sandbags, while options such as sand replenishment may also be considered.
The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality said they would continue working together to manage the immediate risks at Diaz Beach while developing longer-term measures to improve coastal management in the area.
Diaz Beach remains closed to the public due to unstable dune slopes and severe weather erosion.
