Update on Clean Up of Onrus Beach

The storms experienced late in September 2023 resulted in large amounts of debris being washed down the Onrus River. It further resulted in the breaching of the estuary and this debris was then deposited on the Onrus beach.

Since then, various initiatives have been launched to minimise the debris as driftwood is being collected and sold. However large amounts of debris that still needs to be picked up by mechanical means and transported to a suitable dumping site, remains. 

These operations are further hampered by the environmental sensitivity of this area and the limitations of the municipal mandate.

The relevant municipal officials are working closely with civil society to address this and as a co-ordinated effort is needed between the different departments in the municipality, it also means that funds need to be re-allocated and prioritised to fund the cleaning operations. Currently this has not been completed and will be shared with the affected communities once done and before the actual work starts. The public is urged to allow the Municipality to finalise the planning and budgeting for this project.

It should also be noted that, due to the scale of the works to be done here as well as on the Bosplasie sewer line, the Onrus Beach will in all probability not receive full Blue Flag status this year. The Municipality has applied for pilot status, which will allow us time to work towards full Blue Flag status in 2024.