MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Several photographs and videos of damage to local beaches and infrastructure as a result of rough seas last week, have been circulated on social media.
In a statement the Mossel Bay Municipality said it was aware of, but not party to emergency repairs done on private property at Diaz Beach.
"The Mossel Bay Municipality does not contribute in any way toward costs in instances where private coastal properties are damaged due to eroded dunes or beaches because of rough seas. The municipality has no obligation to protect private coastal property and will only intervene to repair municipal infrastructure that is damaged by the sea," the statement reads.
The remedial action was necessitated following erosion damage to the fore-dune that occurred during a spring high tide on 21 August, which was a month earlier than the spring equinox high spring tide.
The municipality noted that the La Palma Property Owners' Association appointed the necessary environmental consultants and was issued with a directive in terms of Section 30A of NEMA to carry out the identified listed activities in terms of the NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations related to the interventions to address the urgent coastal erosion emergency and to mitigate the high risk of further damage to and loss of property along the foredune at La Palma at Diaz Beach.
This entails the stabilising of the affected dune section with vertical poles and the replacement of the existing private stormwater outlet mattresses with like-for-like material.
To mitigate the high risk of further damage to or loss of the stormwater outlet structure at the southern end of La Palma property the damaged existing reno mattresses below the existing municipal stormwater outlet will be replaced with a like-for-like structure.
Work is also being done to mitigate the potential risk of injury or loss of life, because of the damage to the existing wooden walkway that provides access to the beach and the La Palma property.
The proposed emergency measures will involve stabilising the affected dune with vertical poles along the length of the eroded slope and a buried reno mattress in support of the stormwater outlet foundations and sides and to protect the toe of the bottom vertical pole retainer.
Access to the area for all machinery and vehicles used in the process was obtained, as was the consent by Mossel Bay Municipality to utilise this access.
The La Palma Property Owners' Association (LPPOA) is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and must appoint a dedicated ECO to oversee and monitor implementation thereof.
Emergency repairs to the La Palma Villas beachfront is being done to ensure public safety and interest by acting quickly to create a safe environment for the public and beach goers.
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