The eThekwini Municipality is planning a new look for the Bluff beaches and it hosted public meetings in the South Durban Basin this week to discuss a proposed plan to upgrade.

According to the municipality the draft plan, presented to the public, intends to capitalise on the potential of the Bluff area as a major tourism attraction and will present opportunities for the upliftment and economic growth of the area and for fostering a vibrant, diverse and secure beach environment.

A set of interventions have been proposed for each beach along the Bluff coastal belt that would enhance the existing character of the beaches.

The interventions, which include picnic areas, boardwalks, restaurants, new ablution facilities, viewing decks, and environmental resource centres, promote both the interests of the coastal environment and the need to increase public spending on the facilities and maintenance of existing infrastructure in an economically sustainable way.

It is envisaged that the upgrade will boost not only property values close to the beaches but the whole Bluff area and provide a much needed recreational and entertainment space for the community.

Deputy Head of the Economic Development Unit, Mr Themba Msomi, said the priority of the Municipality is to ensure that every citizen has the right to enjoy the best public amenity that the Bluff beaches have to offer. “The Municipality also recognises the pristine beaches as assets which must be protected and the proposed plans have taken this into consideration.

The Municipality wants to ensure that the upgrade suits the needs of the community, therefore the draft plan is being presented to the surrounding communities who are regular users of the amenities on the beach so we can receive feedback on the draft plan.”

Msomi explained that the beaches were last upgraded about 50 years ago, and now there is a need to improve the aging infrastructure and ensure that services and facilities are equal at all beaches.

Once a plan has been developed, budgets will be finalised for the implementation of the project. The Municipality intends to ensure that the community fully participates and is constantly informed about developments in this project.