Update on storm surge repairs at beaches

Retaining Wall in process of being rebuilt at Herold’s Bay.

Following high spring tides that hit the coastal areas of George over weekend of 17 September, George Municipality immediately started with clean-up efforts on the Monday.  Municipal infrastructure damaged at the various beaches which included a sewerage pumpstation, water pipelines, stand-by generators, electrical substations and flooded ablution buildings were all either replaced, cleaned or restored and services returned within the week of the damage.

Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, Wilderness Leentjiesklip and Wilderness main beach were all closed for a few days while the restoration took place and reopened on Friday 22 September to the public.

Deep sand deposits were cleared off the coastal roads of Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Leentjiesklip and the N2 Wilderness bridge as quickly as possible using graders. Damage to beach furniture, signage,  wooden walkways, lifeguard towers, bridges, roadways, sidewalks and retaining walls required detailed assessments for rebuilding or repair.

Our Civil Engineering Services and Community Services: Parks and Recreation directorates have done a sterling job in restoring all of the beaches as quickly as possible in readiness for the launch of the Blue Flag Season, which was held at Wilderness last week Friday, 20 October 2023. The intention is to have all of the damage repaired prior to the start of the festive season for 2023 with the Blue Flag season starting on 1 December 2023 – 31 January 2024.

Repair work to sidewalks at Herold’s Bay and Victoria Bay.