A total of R1,2 billion has been set aside by the City of Cape Town to clean vleis, improve beach facilities and upgrade the coastline in the next year.
Environmentalists welcomed the decision, saying that it is “long overdue and we are happy to see that the City is finally making some progress and keeping their promises.”
The changes will be implemented in the new financial year, starting 1 July.
Vleis, particularly the Rietvlei Waterbody, and beach facilities in Table View, Small Bay and Milnerton made headlines recently after high e. coli levels were discovered in the water and the lack of proper infrastructure to protect beach facilities and the coastline from storm surges and climate change.
The City’s spatial planning and environment directorate is responsible for a coastline covering 307km.
“Spatial and environmental planning, together with the execution of the built environment regulatory mandates, must enable and stimulate economic growth, address socio-economic challenges, and assist with spatial transformation,” the City says in a statement.
“Our budget confirms our focus areas to ensure we deliver on our commitments” reads the statement.
The directorate’s capital budget for the next three financial years amounts to over R1,2 billion with the rehabilitation of coastal facilities and vleis, and projects focused on improving Cape Town’s resilience to climate change, among the key priorities.
For the next financial year starting 1 July, the City has committed R17 million for the acquisition of a weed harvester for Rietvlei.
Budget spent details
- A total of R265 million for the dredging of vleis – R36,5 million in 2023/24; R106 million in 2024/25; and R122,7 million in 2025/26; and
- R13,5 million for general the rehabilitation of coastal infrastructure. Included in the capital budget over the next three financial years, are projects to improve coastal precincts in dire need of rehabilitation, and improved facilities at some of our most popular beach destinations. These interventions will also improve Cape Town’s resilience to the impact of climate change in coastal areas.
- A further R90 million is budgeted for the upgrade of the Table View beachfront on the Atlantic coastline to rehabilitate the dune cordon; refurbish all derelict infrastructure and services; refurbish all amenities; reconfigure existing parking areas along the seaside of Otto du Plessis Drive, and build a 4m wide walkway.
- R34,4 million is budgeted for a new sea wall at Small Bay, also to protect adjacent properties and infrastructure against the impact of storm surges and climate change, and for the relocation of a sewer main.
- A further R71,3 million will be spent on the upgrade of reserve infrastructure, among which upgrades to the Edith Stephens Nature Reserve and Helderberg Nature Reserve; and fencing for 11 nature reserves to ensure visitors can keep on enjoying these spaces.
“Spending a budget of this magnitude requires forward planning, adaptability, professionalism and hard work.
“We are committed to deliver on these projects, and I want to thank the officials in this directorate for their dedication, and our communities for their ongoing support and trust,” the City says.
The projects
Construction to restore the damaged Table View and Milnerton beach fronts to their former glory is in full swing. The project at the Milnerton beachfront is currently in its first phase and the Table View beachfront project has progressed well since its commencement in July.
“Currently the contractor is undertaking planting of propagated species in preparation for the rainy season. So far 20 000 plants have been planted on the dune in March with an estimated 16 000 still to be planted by end of June, as well as over seeding. The irrigation is expected to be fully operational by end of June.”
Small Bay wall project should be completed by September 2024.
The existing sea wall will be reconstructed from Small Bay Park, along Pelegrini and Popham Streets to Ferguson Street; all-in-all, a section of about 190 m. The project will be done in phases and while ongoing, the public will not be able to access the beach from Small Bay Park.
Access to the parking area adjacent to the park will be restricted.
