Diaz Beach works ongoing

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Municipality has said ongoing monitoring and routine clean-ups are taking place on Diaz Beach following the severe storm early in May that eroded the dunes and ruined some infrastructure along the beach.

Responding to Mossel Bay Advertiser’s media queries, it said the area remains dynamic and is still closed to the public until further notice. “The Mossel Bay Municipality, as indicated in a resolution taken during a special council meeting on 29 May, has prioritised the repairwork as a matter of urgency,” it said.

This resolution states that the municipality will move ahead with urgent measures to stabilise the damaged dunes on Diaz Beach and that the affected area has been categorised into high-, medium- and low-risk zones.

The immediate stabilisation efforts will focus on the high- and medium-risk sections, and the lower-risk areas are to be addressed in future phases.

The municipality said the stabilisation interventions will include a combination of engineering and environmental measures. “Damaged stormwater outlets will be repaired to prevent further erosion, sand-filled geo-containers will be installed in vulnerable areas to act as a protective barrier, and the foredune will be reshaped to restore a more stable profile and improve resilience against wave and wind action.”

The municipality added that the 1 450m³ block of dune sand that had been placed at the foot of the dune has successfully served its intended purpose in preventing further damage, as none had been reported after the last storm.

The project team is evaluating all available options and plans to start with the implementation of medium-term solutions in early July, and expects to have completed this in August.

“During the construction period, heavy machinery will be operating in the Diaz Beach area. Members of the public are therefore requested to stay clear of the construction zone and comply with all safety signage and instructions,” it said.

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