A derelict ablution facility in Baden Powell Drive is among the facilities the City will be repairing, refurbishing or demolishing as it embarks on a programme to clean up the coastline.
The City said one of the first steps would be to demolish derelict and unsafe buildings along the coastline stretching from Strand to Table View. The first phase of the demolitions includes the Baden Powell ablution block as well as the Deep Blue ablution facility in Beach Road, and Mosterts Bay ablution facility, both in Strand, Macassar Pavilion, ablution facility, security kiosk and lifeguard clubhouse, and the Sonwabe ablution facility near Muizenberg.
Demolition should be completed by Tuesday March 31, if all goes as planned, said mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt.
The facilities that have been identified for demolition have not been used for several years and many of these facilities were built in “highly mobile dune systems and are covered by sand, or have been vandalised”, the City said in a statement released to the media. Their removal is part of the City’s efforts in revitalising the coastline and optimising opportunities for social and economic use and growth.
This programme also includes reducing future infrastructure risk due to climate change by removing buildings from sensitive and dynamic coastal zones, said MsNie uwoudt. The second phase of the demolitions will start in April and affected areas will not be accessible to the public while the demolitions are ongoing.
“The buildings are structurally unsafe, badly vandalised or damaged by coastal processes, and some are illegally occupied and used for anti-social and criminal activities.
Given that it would cost the City nearly R170 million to replace these facilities, the department recommended that removal is the most sustainable and socially responsible solution,” said Ms Nieuwoudt.
The City will also roll-out coastal projects over the next five years, including the upgrade and refurbishment of Fisherman’s Lane, the upgrade and revamp of the Monwabisi beach amenity, the upgrade of the Strand Pavilion ablution facility, the upgrade of Seaforth beach and surrounds, the upgrade of the Glencairn beach parking and refurbishment of the walkway to the tidal pool, the revitalisation and repair of the Milnerton beach amenity, the rehabilitation of the Table View beachfront and the upgrade of Muizenberg beach.