Beachfront development
The proposed route of the scenic road
adjacent to the beach
Tanya Waterworth
THERE are plans underway to change the
face of the Richards Bay beachfront. At the
uMhlathuze City Executive Council Meeting,
over R1-million was approved for the
proposed development of a road linking Five
Mile Beach to the harbour entrance, with 300
erven going on offer. uMhlathuze City’s
Hennie Smit said the proposed scenic route
along the beach arose from the need to
address beach erosion. ‘The ocean is causing
widespread erosion of the dunes along the
northern coastline of KwaZulu-Natal and the
Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) has been researching this
issue. ‘The design of the scenic route is to
primarily stabilise the erosion of the
dunes. ‘Approximately 300 residential erven
have been planned on the land side of the
new road, which will be built with
supporting dolosses,’ said Smit. The
initiative is set to put uMhlathuze City on
the map in terms real estate availability,
but an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
is required. Other requirements include a
geotechnical analysis, slope stability tests
and evaluation of beach protection
structures. It is also necessary to
determine the effects of wind and salt spray
on Meerensee and Lake Mzingazi. This
development should also make the beaches
safer for the public, and will facilitate
access to the waterfront and recreational
facilities for up to 11 kilometres. ‘The
proposal will be integrated into the
proposed Waterfront and Marina Development
and Spatial Development Framework,’ said
Smit. He added that calls had already been
received from overseas and the Middle East
expressing interest in the proposed project.
‘It is important to point out that as
planners we are fully aware of the need to
ensure there will be public access to our
beaches. We will be calling for tenders
towards the end of the year,’ said Smit.
