The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management branch would like to remind residents of the Milnerton Beach Revetment project that is currently under way. The work on the Milnerton Beachfront will ramp up over the next few weeks and continue for ten months. The project includes the construction of a geo-container revetment structure at Milnerton Beach for coastal protection purposes. All beachgoers are assured that access to the Milnerton beach and ablution facilities will remain open throughout this period.
The City of Cape Town is commencing with a coastal protection intervention at Milnerton where a geo-container revetment structure to protect the embankment of this stretch of coastline will be constructed. The site to be affected during this construction period is situated between Woodbridge Island and 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. The geo-container revetment structure will protect the beachfront from damage during future storm events and ensure the usability and safety of the beachfront. Thus, this project will contribute to the City’s resilience and assist in mitigating the impact of climate change,’ said Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
The work will include the following:
Demolishing the damaged concrete revetment/stairs and life savers ramp
Replacing the damaged concrete revetment with a geo-container revetment to protect the adjacent infrastructure and buildings
Repairs and upgrades to the damaged beach access ramp adjacent to the Milnerton Golf clubhouse.
The geo-container revetment system has successfully been implemented at Big Bay beach and has proven to be fully effective. The revetment structure comprises of sand-filled geo-containers, specially developed for the marine environment, built to form a stabilising, defensive barrier against coastal erosion.
‘A portion of the beachfront will be closed to the public over the next ten months while heavy machinery will be operating in the area. In the interest of public safety, residents and visitors to the area are advised to please keep away from the cordoned-off area. We have however ensured that residents will have access to the beach and ablution facilities throughout the construction period. The protection of this fairly exposed area is critical for this popular beach and I believe that this is an effective and sustainable defensive solution,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Only 14 parking areas at the beach will be affected during this construction period.
The newly reinstated beach access ramp adjacent to the Milnerton Golf clubhouse will comprise of beach sand and a concrete edge which will form a transition between the sand access ramp and the paved ramp area.
The geo-container revetment will remain in place for a five to ten-year period. This project is the first phase of the long-term intervention at Milnerton beach, which is ultimately recommended to comprise a full retreat in order to implement a frontal dune.
Source: City of Cape Town