On sharks - September 09
September 6th, 2009




Tides this year are well displayed on the website below

At last we can report that a fuitful meeting was help with consultants for KDM who will be executing the restoration of the beach parking. On 29th May we met on site and got a committment that what we had requested would be forthcoming if at all possible. Our requests were humble indeed in comparison to those of the southern beaches. We asked for basic amenities like steps to the beach, a tap, shower and toilets. Good lighting and the possiblility of a gate to secure the parking. As inconvenient as it may seem, the new toilets at the car park will replace those on the beach. In line with the stringent new regulations governing the protection of the environment, our beach toilets will have to go. Polution of the lagoon is of grave concern and of course the safety of our bathers must be safeguarded. We were also mindful of the high value placed on ’peace and quiet’ by surrounding residents. A compromise had to be reached in finding sufficient parking for high season and the only alternative available was the verges of Nkwazi drive. We had no choice. Please read the minutes of the meeting below. I think they will please most Zinkwazi-ites !

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ISSUES, CONCERNS AND COMMENTS
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RESPONSE / AGREEMENT
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RESPONSIBILITY / TIMEFRAMES
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ABLUTION FACILITIES
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Removal of ablution facilities required to ensure renewal of launch site license. Significant impacts (pollution, vehicular) on estuary and coastal zone due to its location.
New ablutions to be sited at car park. Although still within 100 metres of the high water mark, retreat would have been implemented and impacts will be prevented / reduced.
Alternative technology to be investigated.
Conservation tank system to be established, should current technology be used. Ski-boat club to connect septic tank to new conservation tank and pump sewage to conservation tank as required, negating the requirement for vehicular access to the septic tank via the coastal zone / estuary.
The size of the ablutions should provide adequate capacity during peak season, taking into consideration that the ski-boat facilities are made available to the public during peak season.
Potential incorporation of Pizza Parlour with ablution facilities to be investigated. Currently poorly sited.
Contract to be established for the maintenance of ablution facilities, including regular removal of sewage by honeysucker (size of truck to be specified to protect parking area against damage). Cost for sewage removal and maintenance - KwaDukuza Municipality.
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Agreement for total demolition of building and removal of rubble.
Agreement on proposed location reached.
Supported. Committee to review proposal.
Agreed. Care should be taken not to damage indigenous vegetation / milkwoods.
Agreed.
To be investigated.
Annual allowance and BEE contract to be established for:
Sewage removal; and
Maintenance of ablutions.
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Carlos Mendes / Contractor / July 2008.
Carlos Mendes / Contractor / August 2008.
Nigel Simmond / June 2008.
Louis Bezuidenhout / July 2008.
Carlos Mendes / July 2008.
Carlos Mendes / June 2008.
Di Jones / Councillor Pakkies / August 2008.
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PARKING
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Clarity is required re the new dimensions of the car parking area and the number of parking affected by the proposed restoration work.
There will be insufficient public parking, especially during the holiday season. The public informally parks at Zinkwazi Drive. Formalisation of this parking may address additional parking requirements. Attention should be given to drive-ways, existing trees and services such as electrical boxes when allocating additional parking.
Angled parking to be created at Seagull Drive.
Existing boom gate and control at Zinkwazi Drive & Seagull Drive to be re-instated between 22:00 and 06:00 to control vehicular access. Pedestrian access will remain open to the public throughout the day and night.
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Managed retreat to be implemented, which will entail cutting and sloping of the car park as is, with a sea defence system in front, Damaged parking will not be re-instated.
Obtain cadastral information.
Additional parking & earthworks to be planned utilising cadastral information (property boundaries).
Additional parking to be created.
Actions as per parking at Zinkwazi Drive.
Address public complaints and ensure responsible management of public infrastructure.
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Carlos Mendes / Awarding of contract (30 June 2008).
Hantie Plomp / June 2008.
Carlos Mendes / July 2008.
Contractor / July 2008.
Refer to above responsibilities / timeframes.
Steve Honneysette / June 2008.
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LAUNCH SITE
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Black Rock is not a feasible alternative for a launch site. Very dangerous conditions for launching, but can be used as alternative by the Sharks Board in an emergency situation.
No permanent concrete access ramp is required. The blocks currently in use proved very effective. No scouring, associated with a concrete ramp area, has been experienced.
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Noted.
The block system is supported from a coastal management perspective. Requirement for permanent concrete slipway to be excluded from tender / restoration contract.
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Carlos Mendes / Awarding of contract (30 June 2008).
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SEA DEFENCE SYSTEM, ACCESS TO BEACH AND VEGETATION
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Clarity regarding the extent of the proposed sea defence system is required.
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Sea defence to start at southern corner of car park and end at the most northern corner (launch site slipway).
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Agreement by committee – site visit
Carlos Mendes / Awarding of contract (30 June 2008).
Contractor / September 2008.
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Two access ways, as per the current informal footpaths via the dune, should be incorporated into the sea defence system.
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Agreed as sensible approach to ensure controlled access and protection of sea defence system and embankments.
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Carlos Mendes / Awarding of contract (30 June 2008).
Contractor / September 2008.
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Appropriate dune vegetation should be used for dune rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation work completed since the disaster should be reviewed and where required, corrected.
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Guidelines by Simon Bundy to be implemented.
Agreed.
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Simon Bundy / September 2008.
Simon Bundy to completed review and provide recommendations for corrections, where required.
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WASTE MANAGEMENT & LIGHTING
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Additional bins will be required to ensure appropriate waste (litter) management. These bins should be unobtrusive, such as the present concrete bins situated within the car park.
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Steve Honneysette are investigating “cleaning-friendly” bins;
Approve bins with committee and acquire requisite number of bins for Zinkwazi
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Comment.
Steve Honneysette / 30 June 2008.
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Further clean-up of debris and rubble is required south of Zinkwazi, towards the old tidal pool.
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Clean-up to be included in tender / restoration contract.
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Carlos Mendes / Awarding of contract (30 June 2008).
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There is insufficient lighting to ensure public safety within the parking area.
The Ski Boat Club installed lighting at the parking area and walkway, but the cost of electricity and maintenance should be for the KwaDukuza account.
All night lighting within the inter-tidal zone should be prevented as far as possible to limit the potential environmental impacts on nocturnal animals. Lighting should thus be lowered and focussed towards the public parking area.
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Current lighting in car park to be removed and replaced with lower, more efficient lighting.
hree lights (improved design) should be spaced strategically following the re-routing of two-way traffic at the entrance to the car park.
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Carlos Mendes / 30 June 2008.
Carlos Mendes / 30 September 2008.
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ESTAURY MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ALIEN PLANT / VEGETATION CONTROL
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A long term view is required to ensure appropriate / sustainable management of the area.
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An estuary management plan and alien plant / vegetation control programme should be developed and implemented for Zinkwazi.
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Steve Honneysette / Neil Wallace / Zinkwazi Restoration Committee / November 2008 and ongoing
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