The proposed construction of a 1 m concrete wall in front of Small Bay Beach in Bloubergstrand has caused a massive public outcry.
Many claim the construction of the wall will destroy its beautiful beaches and coastline and the way that it is currently enjoyed by thousands.
The City of Cape Town is planning to upgrade the damaged sea wall and deteriorated infrastructure at Small Bay Beach.
The new sea wall is being built for minimum use of 50 years and as such has to consider sea-level rise.
According to a concerned resident who wishes to remain anonymous until after a meeting with City engineers on 6 April, this beach forms the heart of Bloubergstrand and is one of the most beautiful beaches with benches and seating and access to the beach and rocks all the way along to Big Bay.
“The venue is enjoyed throughout the year by surfers, schools, families with birthday parties, moonlight swims and other events and on a daily basis by runners, dog walkers and beachgoers. It is known as one of the most family-friendly and safe beaches with a lovely stepped aspect facing the sea with small upstand walls and this allows for the public to access the beach all the way along and to watch their children play in the small waves,” she says.
She told TygerBurger that the current sea walls which have been damaged over the last few years, do not extend to bedrock.
“The sea has over time undermined these structures, causing them to collapse, which has, in turn, affected the road. There are also some houses along this stretch, especially along Pelegrini Road which are affected by water at high tide,” she says.
She explains that on 23 February the City presented details to the public of the work to be undertaken along the stretch of coastline from Small Bay Beach up to the Blue Peter Hotel to repair Pelegrini Street which has been closed for some time due to water damage.
There is also a sewer line to be protected which formed part of the brief.
“This was called a public participation meeting and comment was invited.
“The date for closing of comments was 11 March, but it was made very clear that the design had already gone out to tender and that any public comment or criticism of the proposed works was unlikely to result in any change being made to the design as this would then derail and delay the procurement process and in turn, the construction, and that monies had already been allocated for the works. Public objections to the proposed design were so strong, that comments and petitions were presented within days of the meeting.
The council’s design was presented, which comprises a 1 m high concrete wall built along the entire extent of the coastline from small bay to Blue Peter Hotel, including the stretch in front of the park, which would, without any doubt, be the demise of this precious jewel to so many people. This was met with vehement opposition and criticism by the public and residents,” she says.
Another resident who wishes to remain anonymous says besides the monstrosity of a 1 m high concrete structure, only one singular access will be available to the beach at Small Bay.
“This means that pedestrians, dog walkers and surfers (carrying surfboards) have to be funnelled down this one little strip if wanting to access the shore. There will be a stream of pedestrians walking alongside the cars on Pelegrini Road, which is already narrow.
“In addition, with only one access, the seawater is funnelled up this ramp, when the water is high, seemingly causing a type of vortex at the top of the ramp, which over time will also undoubtedly cause erosion at this point,” he says.
“The houses in the vicinity of this location will be similarly affected,” he maintains.
“We as residents and taxpayers feel very strongly that our voices must also be heard”.
The issue has now gained the widespread support of the wider Cape Town community as a whole with political party CapeXit.
CapeXit says it will use their influence by voicing their concerns publicly. The party has over a million followers on social media.
“We did notify the City of Cape Town about our objection and they undertook to meet with (us) this month to discuss the options with us,” a spokesperson says.
Whether this meeting will take place.
“We, unfortunately, know that the City has the habit of inviting public participation just to ignore the input and go ahead with their own ideas of a solution,” says a spokesperson at CapeXit.
The City previously told TygerBurger this is an emergency project that they are doing to rebuild the collapsed sea wall at Small Bay. The road has been closed to the public for many years as a result of the collapsed wall.
According to the City’s Mayco member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews in addition the collapsing sea wall has the main sewer line encased within it and this is at risk of failure if it collapses any further.
“We have designed and are about to go to tender to rebuild the entire sea wall, upgrade and rebuild the collapsed road and realign/reposition the main sewer line,” he says.
The City says although the upgraded sea wall will be built on the same existing footprint, construction activities will occur within 100 m of the high watermark.
“As such, we have applied for an ad hoc development setback line…and this only relates to the relevant listed activities triggered by the proposed development where the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning is the competent authority to grant authorisation,” he says.
