Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Back
05 Feb 2016

Pollution a threat to precinct

Judi Davis (South Coast Herald)

The Vungu river.

“Care must be taken regarding the environment and the health and safety of residents.“

Local environmentalist Pippa la Cock, who is in charge of the Alamein Precinct Plan environmental study, warned about dangerously high levels of contamination in some parts of the study area when she presented her environmental report at the project’s second public participation meeting.

Summarising her findings, she said the precinct plan boundary encapsulated two very different areas with very little connectivity, effectively separated by the R61 National road. The Vungu River formed a corridor for plants and animals through both sections. She warned that negative impacts like improperly treated effluent from the Uvongo waste water treatment plant and inadequate septic tanks would have negative impacts on Uvongo beach, a prime tourist attraction.

The 100-year flood line needed to be determined and development should be restricted by a buffer alongside streams and rivers. Due care needed to be taken regarding the environment and the health and safety of residents. The well established and sustainable nursery industry that used streams for irrigation and Masinenge shack dwellers who made household use of the water depended on good water quality, she said.

Because steep terrain and rocky outcrops had limited industrial activity remnants of two critically endangered ecosystems remained close to the study area. Ms la Cock pointed out that the good connectivity to the formal conservation area inside and outside the precinct offered opportunities to extend the conservation area although some split zoning of properties would be needed.

Poor waste, effluent and emission management was causing high, dangerous contamination levels in some parts of the precinct including Masinenge and the industrial areas on both sides of the R61. Though they often went unnoticed, noise and air pollutants needed to be assessed for future planning. Certain factors limited densification of the rustic area east of the R61, where residents were anxious to retain the sense of place.

Services like water supply and sewage were inadequate in the impoverished inland section although this should improve when the low cost housing was completed.

“Pollution and waste management need priority attention,” she said.

 

Online Article