Prepared Sept 2005 by
Kouga Disaster Management (St Francis Bay Beach Action Committee)
 

Introduction

The function of this project is to take appropriate measures to reverse the erosion that is currently threatening to undermine houses along the St Francis Bay beach, and return the beach to the sandy state it was in about 20 years ago. The St Francis Bay beach is a prime recreational beach in the Eastern Cape, and the socio-economic prosperity of the St Francis Bay Village and surrounding area depends on the beach being in a healthy, attractive state. A severe erosion event took place in Sept 2005, the mid-tide beach position retreated by up to 20 metres, and an ablution facility was half destroyed.

The Kouga Municipality (and its predecessor, the St Francis Bay Municipality) have been working on the beach erosion problem for many years, culminating in an EIA  in which it was concluded that the preferred solution to the problem was to reduce beach erosion by means of groynes or an artificial reef, followed by building up the beach with sand dredged from the Kromme estuary. The solutions proposed are however considerably beyond the financial capabilities of the Kouga Municipality; hence assistance is being requested from Provincial or National Government. Budget allocation as set out in the table below is urgently required to prevent the economic, social and environmental disaster that will result if this project does not go ahead soon. The project is part of the Kouga Municipality Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

 
The Kouga Disaster Management (St Francis Bay Beach Action Committee) is a steering committee formed by the Council of the Kouga Municipality in July 2004. It comprises of Kouga Municipality councillors and officials, an environmental consultant and St Francis Bay residents. Its task is to drive the beach remediation process, and it has prepared this business plan. The business plan is divided into 3 phases:

 
Phase 1: Investigative Phase: R2 million
Taking into account latest available technology and coastal engineering expertise, indications are that an artificial reef system will be the best option for protecting the southern portion of the beach. This reduces the need to insert the experimental permeable groyne, so it is given lower priority, and designated “Phase 1B”. The experimental permeable groyne is however a cost-effective way of protecting the northern portion of the beach If the permeable groyne is successful, it will trap sand along the beach in the area near the Kromme mouth, and can be used in conjunction with artificial reefs along the southern 2 km of beach, to reduce overall cost of the project (by shortening the length of artificial reef). It will also provide some data about the near-shore wave environment along the St Francis Bay beach that will help to design further beach protection works. Further groynes of this sort cannot be used on the southern 2 km of the beach, as the offshore sand layer is too thin. The activities planned for the Investigative Phase are:

Collection of wave data (1 year period), collection of near-shore current and sediment data and survey of offshore bathymetry, detailed beach & near-shore profiles, aerial photography. Inserting and monitoring of the experimental permeable groyne. The materials have already been purchased by the Kouga Municipality This is an ongoing project, initiated by the Kouga Municipality.
Feasibility studies for beach protection structures, and preliminary design of further groynes or artificial reef. Final approval of EIA with Dept of Economic Affairs, Environment & Tourism, Eastern Cape Govt.
 

Phase 2: Groynes or artificial reef construction
Final design of further groynes or artificial reef. Indications are that an artificial reef will be the best option, as it is visually totally unobtrusive and as there are other positive spin-offs like the creation of a prime surfing and scuba diving feature which will attract tourists to the region. Environmental monitoring plan (EMP). Appointment of environmental officer (for 2 years). Construction of groynes or artificial reef; this may run over into the third year.
 

Phase 3: Dredging
Re-survey of sections across Kromme estuary; Rehabilitation of roads used for transporting groyne material; Mobilization of dredger, dredging of 1 million cubic metres of sand, decommissioning of dredger; Construction of small dredger for maintenance dredging. It is intended to form a Black Empowerment Company to run the project which would include business people from the Kouga and Port Elizabeth areas as well as St Francis ratepayers, with the required technical and management expertise.