Major revamp for Durban's Bluff beaches

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26-11-2014
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At last, the Bluff 's neglected beaches are going to receive a much-needed makeover - 50 years after they were last upgraded.

An artist's impression of the proposed skatepark and boardwalk at the Ansteys Beach.

This week, the eThekwini Municipality is holding community meetings to gauge the public's view on the proposed upgrades at the Cuttings, Treasure, Brighton, and Anstey's beaches.

City spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said that the draft plan aimed to capitalise on the Bluff 's potential as a tourism node, which would present opportunities for economic growth.

"The public has to have a say on what they want and these meetings provide them that opportunity," he said.

The proposed plan by Architects Collaborative encompasses infrastructure upgrades including roads, parking, toilets and signage and lighting.

Mofokeng said the city also wanted to make sure that it addressed some of the concerns, raised by residents, for better security, conservation and recreational facilities.

Proposed safety measures include satellite police stations at Cuttings Beach and before Pigs Hut, towards Treasure Beach.

A proposed satellite police station and pedestrian bridge at Cuttings Beach.

A restaurant precinct would be developed at Anstey's Beach, with picnic areas, a surf club and skate park.

Strand Road would link Airlie Road to Brighton Beach, increasing access to be beach. The existing road was to be narrowed and made predominantly

A pedestrian with a turning circle and whale sculpture at the end. The area would be rezoned as a sports and recreation park.

A marine park would be created between Anstey's and Brighton beaches.

The beaches would also get picnic parks and boardwalks for jogging and cycling.

Mofokeng said they did not have a budget as the project was still in the consultation stages.

The municipality's deputy head of economic development, Themba Msomi, said they recognised the beaches as assets which must be protected.

Desmond D'Sa of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance said they were excited about the environmental aspect to the plans, but concerned that there were other, more pressing, matters needed attending to.

"We are happy that the municipality is taking a stand on the conservation of biodiversity so that future generations can enjoy our beaches," he said.

Brighton Beach with a proposed walkway and big whale sculpture.

D'Sa said he was worried that the development might become another "white elephant" not attracting tourists because of a lack of a plan to uplift areas surrounding the beaches.

He said there were more serious issues that needed to be resolved before trying to market the Bluff beaches as a tourist destination.

Keith Fuller, who has been a resident of the area for more than 40 years, said last night that he was happy about the development.

"This community needs the upliftment," he said.

"Wentworth and Austerville have a lot of poverty.

"People started avoiding the beach because of pollution which led to the infrastructure being vandalised.

"The upgrades will ensure the public gets to enjoy their beaches again."

A meeting is due to be held in Merebank Community Hall at 6.30pm today, and at the Bluff Golf Club at 6pm tomorrow.