QUICK action had to be taken on Monday after stormy seas breached the dune spit that separates the ocean from the St Francis canals.
Kouga Community Services Portfolio Councillor, Daniel Benson, said rocks and sand had been used to fill the breach and that the spit was being closely monitored.
He said an emergency plan had been prepared last year in anticipation of possible breaches and that repair work was being done in accordance with designs provided by coastal engineers.
“The municipality has also been fortifying the spit with rocks.
“The first section of 202m was recently completed. We are now preparing to do a further 101m,” he said.
“This latest incident will be taken into account when a decision is made as to which parts should be strengthened first.”
He said the emergency work and rock fortifications were temporary solutions while funding was being secured and environmental processes were being finalised for the proposed long-term coastal protection scheme.
“The long-term scheme is being driven by the St Francis Property Owners Association. We are grateful to them, as well as to the Kromme Joint River Committee and St Francis Bay Riparian Home Owners Association, for their ongoing support,” he said.
The St Francis Bay Property Owners Association (SFPO) thanked the municipality for the swift action.
“The SFPO remains fully committed to maintaining the healthy working relationship that they have with the municipality,” the association wrote this week in an update to residents.
“There have been two storms this year so far, combined with spring high tides and big surf. The first was in early April this year, and the second was this week. There are bound to be some more storms.
“The Kouga Municipality emergency repair work will see the spit repaired and the St Francis Bay canal houses will be safe.”
