Sand-lowering machines on Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Hout Bay beaches from 1 October

The City of Cape Town begins its annual beach-lowering programme on Thursday 1 October, with the aim of wrapping up by mid-November, before the festive season. Work will cover Muizenberg between the Zandvlei River mouth and the Pavilion, the section of Fish Hoek beach stretching from Jager's Walk up to the lifesaving building, and the stretch of Hout Bay beach next to Beach Road.

Using both machinery and hand labour, crews push built-up sand down towards the low-water mark, where the waves carry it back into the coastal system. The City says this reduces the amount of sand blown onto nearby roads and infrastructure by summer winds. Hout Bay is getting extra attention this year after strong south-easterly winds arrived earlier than usual and piled up sand.

According to the City, the practice copies natural scouring and has been used for decades without any measurable effect on the environment.

All three beaches remain open while the work is under way. Visitors are asked to stay well clear of the machines and to keep dogs on a leash.

Sources

Written by TheCapeTownHub in our own words from the reports below. Read the originals for the full story.

• City of Cape Town (main source)
• smilefm.co.za