27 July 2023The public is informed that the beach exclusion zone of 1km north and south of the uMhlanga estuary between Umhlanga and Umdloti Beaches and the estuary itself is still closed. This is done under the Beaches Bylaws cl 10 (1) (c).
The area was initially closed because of the chemical spill from UPL following the riots in July 2021. The spill destroyed the ecosystems in estuary. The exclusion zone was then put in place to minimise human traffic in the area so as to allow for animal and plant life to recover as quickly as possible and to facilitate monitoring of recovery.
A specialist report due in August will inform the further closure or opening of the exclusion zone. The city and other authorities will scrutinise the report before re-evaluating the decision to close the exclusion zone. The authorities have no intention to keep the exclusion zone longer than absolutely necessary, but any re-opening must be informed by the science and recovery of the system.
The city calls for patience and cooperation from the public while we work with other organs of state and UPL to restore the estuary.
ENDS.
