Here is a chance for everyone to have their say on the St Francis Bay canal dune Spit:
The following notice from S. Fadi, Kouga Municipal Manager, has been received today , 30 August 2012, by St Francis Chronicle for publication:
PROTECTION, SAFEGUARDING AND FUNDING OF THE ST FRANCIS BAY DUNE/SPIT
At a Council meeting on 29 July 2012 Kouga Council took a resolution on the protection, safeguarding and funding of the St Francis Bay dune/spit.
After considering:
* a High Court ruling on 25 May 2012 on the relevant issue;
* the views expressed by the St Francis Bay riparian homeowners responding to an advertisement for public comment; and
* taking cognizance of relevant local government legislation;
…it was resolved to establish a project team with all relevant stakeholders to within the 2012/2013 financial year:
(a) Investigate the method of funding the project;
(b) Research alternative methods of protecting the dune spit.
This is an open invitation for all residents of the St Francis community who wish to serve on the project team to submit their names and contact detail to the Municipal Manager within the next two weeks.
Please fax (042 200 8600) or e-mail (chayward@kougs.gov.za) the following on or before Wednesday 12 September 2012 to:
Mr S Fadi, Municipal Manager, Kouga Municipality:
NAME:…………………………………………
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Address:…………………………………………
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Organization:……………………………………
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Contact detail: Landline:………………………;
Fax:……………………………
Cell:…………………………………….
Brief CV (curriculum vitae) – optional
Mr S Fadi
Municipal Manager, Kouga Municipality
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St Francis Chronicle 
Has Elza van Lingen voiced any opinion on this? Will she be on the committee?
I’m no current specialist or erosion engineer, but have seen instances where breakwaters are used to curb erosion of dunes and beaches. I have seen this along the peninsular at Luanda harbor which works very well. Another example is Richards bay harbor, the southern breakwater has retained the sand and has a very wide stretch of beach.
I remember a few years ago, an April fools joke was published of breakwaters at the Cromme river mouth. Maybe a solution to retain sand along the spit ?
I’ve only been in St Francis for 7 years, and have noticed a big difference in the sand buildup within the river and estuary,(Possibly from the dam construction not allowing natural flooding). This sand could be pumped onto the beach and retained from further movement by the breakwaters.
Tony.
Resident and lover of St Francis.