From our news section:

Response to the Estuary Care notice regarding the Kenton Sand Dune

Apr 1, 2022

The Plan for the rehabilitation of the Kenton Sand Dune area has been produced by PRDW and CES who have the required experience and understanding of coastal ecology and engineering. Dr Ted Avis has been familiar with this particular system since the early 1980’s. Their solution is the result of understanding the changes that man and development have caused, together with the changes that have occurred to the system over time, the different wind patterns that blow in opposite directions together with many other factors. It is, as a result, a professional solution that Estuary Care asked to be carried out some seven years ago.

 

The responses to each of Estuary Care’s points are as follows:

 

  • The ancient sand by-pass of DBV functioned at a time when very little sand accumulated on the river’s banks, as the entire system was in equilibrium. Most of this sand was deposited as small dunes in the DBV, and sand movement was not excessive as it was possible to camp in the area before the 1960’s The whole ecosystem has changed, and the problems need to be understood and a plan developed that considers the changes that have taken place. The system is now out of equilibrium.
  • It no longer functions as a sand by-pass due to it being vegetated, and since the road to middle beach was built over 50 years ago.
  • KSDNA’s consultants and other engineers and environmental consultants have looked at feasible alternative options to resolve the increasing problem of the Kenton sand dune.
  • The existing mobile dune will be reprofiled to a very safe distance from the estuary – well behind the existing vegetated dune on the east bank. The dune at the end of Westbourne towards the bridge has vegetated naturally and has been stable for several years.
  • The new dune will be stabilised to provide a barrier in front of which accumulating sand will be managed. The top of the new profiled dune will be stabilised with windbreaks and vegetation immediately after the reprofiling is completed. The special white windbreaks will be removed as soon as possible, which we expect to be within 3 years. This will leave a very attractive, vegetation dune similar to what occurs below Westbourne Road, hence extending the nature reserve.
  • There will be no obstructive fencing at any time. This will be the same windbreaks as used at Hout Bay and elsewhere, where they have similar problems. These have been accepted by Hout bay residents and are not seen as ugly or offensive.
  • The dune will be stabilised so that the sand that presently blows off this dune under the influence of easterly winds back into the estuary will no longer happen.
  • If there is a borehole on site as is planned, there will be no usage of existing water. Small volumes of this semi saline water are required, and the yield is sufficient and volumes small enough to ensure the yield is sustainable.
  • Whatever solution is chosen, sand will have to be moved several times a year, as much more sand now accumulates in the area for various reasons linked to the many man-induced changes to the river and estuary over time. This will be done out of holiday times and will not present any more of a problem than the regular transport of construction vehicles on these roads. Small suitable trucks will be used. Any damage to the roads can and will be repaired as part of the overall project costs. An engineer will survey the current state of the roads prior to and immediately after sand transport to Middle Beach is completed.
  • No sand will be stockpiled at the end of Westbourne Road. It will be moved efficiently and in an orderly planned way.
  • The Consultants’ solution is a once off solution at no cost to the community. The ongoing cost of accumulating sand is a cost which will be the responsibility of the Ndlambe Municipality after 3 years. It is sensible that this is done without damage to the environment and in the most efficient and least costly way. This approved plan minimises costs to the community in the future and avoids the destruction of property and the nature reserve.
  • The proposed plan does everything possible to manage the accumulating sand and prevent it from re-entering the Estuary. None of the ideas put forward by others provide a long-term solution to all the problems. No solution will prevent sand from accumulating, so the best solution is the one that can control and manage this in the best manner possible. This is the PRDW/CES Plan
  • The plan is the result of two coastal engineering firms working independently. Estuary Care appealed against the approved environmental authorization in which they had participated with Aurecon during the environmental assessment process. Their appeal was rejected as their concerns as expressed again in their recent undated notice had no substance.
  • The absolute reality is that using Dry Bones valley as a sand bypass would not work, and would not provide a solution that does not require ongoing management. Therefore this was not progressed by any of the consultants for many reasons. The Dry Bones Valley option has been comprehensively studied by all the Consultants and fully considered in the Environmental process. The ratepayers have already paid for the approved Aurecon Dune Management and Maintenance Plan, including additional time to deal with the EC Appeal and additional meetings related to this. Now you are being asked to do this again and the cost will be substantial if anyone is unwise enough to fail to discuss it properly with the present Consulting Engineers. The Consultants will explain this whole project and its complete understanding to all the Kenton associations and have requested this meeting.
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