MOSSEL BAY –The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality will place large sandbags along Diaz Beach to stop urgent coastal erosion that threatens homes and public infrastructure.

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said the province recognises the serious risks coastal erosion poses at Diaz Beach. People, properties and public infrastructure in the area need protection.

Emergency sandbags to stabilise dunes

According to the South African Government News Agency (SAnews), Mossel Bay Municipality wants to install geotextile sandbags as an emergency measure. The sandbags will hold the dune in place and reduce the risk of further collapse.

The measure will prevent properties and infrastructure from collapsing onto the beach. It will also make the area safer for people who visit the beach.

Department spokesperson Rudolf van Jaarsveldt said the municipality and provincial government agree that Diaz Beach needs a permanent solution for better coastal management. “The Basic Assessment process currently underway will inform the appropriate long-term solution,” he said.

Sandbags not a permanent fix

Van Jaarsveldt stressed that the sandbags are not the permanent fix for coastal erosion.

“Coastal protection measures can affect the natural movement of sand between the dune, beach and nearshore environment. If not appropriately designed and managed, they can cause erosion, beach narrowing and the loss of the beach as a public amenity,” Van Jaarsveldt said.

Court order allows temporary measure

Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell has decided to follow the court order allowing the sandbags as an urgent temporary measure.

“The permanent solution will be determined through the Basic Assessment process in the coming months and could include removing the sandbags. Options such as sand replenishment may also be considered in determining the best practical environmental option,” Van Jaarsveldt said.

Long-term solutions being explored

The Western Cape Government and Mossel Bay Municipality will continue working together on immediate measures to manage current risks and longer-term solutions to improve coastal management at Diaz Beach.

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