High Court approves emergency sandbags for Diaz Beach erosion in Mossel Bay

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The High Court of South Africa has granted the Mossel Bay Municipality long-awaited approval to place geotextile sandbags as an interim emergency measure to stabilise the eroding dune at Diaz Beach.

This will be done to reduce the immediate risk of further collapse.

The sandbags will be placed at the toe of the damaged dune, which significantly eroded due to severe storms and high seas in Mossel Bay in May, leading to the beach’s closure.

“This approval allows us to proceed with the urgent dune stabilisation, while the longer-term solution for Diaz Beach continues through the appropriate environmental processes,” said Mossel Bay Mayor, Dirk Kotzé, in a post shared on Facebook on Thursday 10 September.

One of the partially collapsed access stairs at Diaz Beach. Photo: Supplied

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) previously rejected two of the municipality’s applications to stabilise Diaz Beach.

However, according to a statement issued by the DEADP on 8 September, the department recognised the serious, ongoing risks posed by coastal erosion at the beach and the need to protect people, properties and public infrastructure in the affected area.

“The Mossel Bay Municipality and the Western Cape Government are in agreement that a permanent solution for improved coastal management at Diaz Beach needs to be implemented. The Basic Assessment process currently underway will inform the appropriate long-term solution,” said DEADP spokesperson, Rudolf van Jaarsveldt.

The municipality has urged residents and visitors to respect all access restrictions, barriers and safety notices at Diaz Beach for the time being.

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