Milnerton beachfront due for construction work

An image of the beach taken in extreme weather on July 15 2018.

A sloped retaining wall will be built at the Milnerton beachfront to protect it from storm damage and arrest the erosion of the beach.

Heavy machinery will be stationed at the beach for up to 10 months from Monday August 1, when work will begin on the Milnerton beach revetment project, according to a City statement.

The construction of the gabion revetment to protect the coastal embankment at Milnerton Beach will present slight inconveniences, such as the closure of 14 parking spaces, while a MyCiTi bus stop will be affected, according to mayoral committee member spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews.

However, the beach and ablution facilities will remain open.

Mr Andrews said the MyCiTi bus stop on the circle would be moved temporarily to the parking area next to the wooden bridge.

Milnerton Ratepayers’ Association secretary Liete van der Eeems said the project would curb the further decay of the beachfront.

“We are very pleased that this project is finally coming to fruition, and we fully support it. It is the first step in properly refurbishing out beautiful beachfront after many years of gradual decay.”

The area affected by the construction runs from Woodbridge Island to the Milnerton Golf Club.

“The main aim of the project is to retain and improve the recreational and amenity facilities at Milnerton Beach as this is a popular recreational location for the public,” Mr Andrews said.

The revetment would protect the beachfront from damage in future storms, he said.

The project would also include the demolition of the damaged concrete revetment/stairs and life savers’ ramp; the replacement of the damaged concrete revetment with a gabion revetment system; and the repair of the beach access ramp next to the Milnerton Golf clubhouse.

Mr Andrews said the gabion revetment – essentially a retaining wall of earth-and-rock-filled steel baskets – had succeeded at the Big Bay Beach.

The system was built to create a “stabilising, defensive barrier” against coastal erosion, he said.

“This project – which entails the construction of the geo-container revetment will remain in place for a five to ten-year period – is Phase 1 of the long-term intervention at Milnerton Beach, which is ultimately recommended to comprise a full retreat in order to implement a frontal dune,” Mr Andrews said.