The public has been shown City plans for a R100 million upgrade of Table View beachfront.
The plans were presented at the Milnerton library, on Saturday, and Natalie Newman, the City’s head of coastal management, was there to answer any questions.
Beachgoers have complained about conditions and poor maintenance at the beachfront over the years. Sand dunes cover the public toilets, parts of the parking lot and walkways (“Beachfront in need of attention, says TVRA,” Tabletalk, March 23, 2016).
According to mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews, the project is set to begin at the end of the year and is expected to be completed in 2024.
The City did not respond, by deadline, to Tabletalk’s questions about the budget for the project, but, according to documents on the City’s website, more than R108 million will be spent over the next three years.
The documents say the plan is to “rehabilitate, revitalise and maintain the Table View beachfront including the improvement of beach amenities, access to the coast, public infrastructure, dune rehabilitation, pedestrian access, sand management, upgrade of various facilities, improvements to adjacent services and public infrastructure”.
Plans shown to residents on Saturday proposed expanding the number of parking bays from 60 to 103 and building new public toilets to replace those swamped by sand. The abandoned toilets will be demolished.
R16 million will be spent in the 2022/23 financial year, R48 million in 2023/24 and R44 million in 2024/25.
Ward 113 councillor Dr Joy Solomon said Marine Drive had been built in the middle of a living dune system.
“A living dune system migrates and is driven by the wind. That is why we have these issues where the parking lot gets covered in sand and buries the toilets. So this will be a reconfiguration of the parking lots, uncovering the ablution facilities,” she said, adding: “It’s something that is going to suit everyone and we are excited about it.”
Andrew Kemp, of Blaauwberg, who was at the library to view the plans, said he had been to a similar presentation about a beachfront upgrade in the past, but he was still waiting to see it materialise.
“There have been meetings like this in the past where we are told about these upgrades and nothing comes of it. Today, it looks like they came with detailed plans, and hopefully we can get the ball rolling because the beachfront is in a state. Something must be done immediately.”
Dr Solomon said Saturday’s presentation was the first of two as part of a public participation process. Details of the next presentation will be given in due course.