The Lake St Lucia Estuary in iSimangaliso Wetland Park in Kwa Zulu Natal has been earmarked for an upgrade.
Fifteen projects will be implemented to rehabilitate and upgrade this section of the park, specifically to address ecological issues in and around the estuary and beaches, improve ecological functioning, and modernise day-visitor facilities.
The upgrade will include extending the current estuary boardwalk, adding new ablution facilities, construction of a meet-and-greet zone, paving of surfaces and improved parking areas.
The St Lucia Ski-Boat Club facilities will be upgraded with additional parking to the west of the Ski-Boat Club. The park will also create a formalised entrance to a pedestrian trail and picnic area with the introduction of trail identifying signage.
Additional ablution facilities and the upgrade of existing facilities will be carried out at the Honeymoon Bend. Additional grassed picnic areas, construction of an access road and a trail path from Honeymoon Bend to link to Sugar Loaf will also be added.
Sunset Jetty and Igwalagwala will have additional parking added and ablution facilities upgraded.
New linkages with existing self-guided birding and game trails will be added to the iSimangaliso South Hiking Trails network.
The developments aim to help in the rehabilitation and restoration of disturbed areas along the estuary banks and the beach environments. The upgrades will also relieve congestion within these areas by providing focus areas for infrastructure and the movement of visitors. Ablutions and viewpoints will also accommodate disabled users.
“It is rewarding for us and the public to see the park take shape as envisioned,” said Andrew Zaloumis, iSimangaliso CEO. He said there had been construction of new gates, hides, boardwalks and viewing decks.
iSimangaliso is in the process of redeveloping the park in a section-by-section approach and is nearing completion of the eastern and western shores and uMkhuze sections.
The public is invited to participate in three separate Basic Assessments until June 20.
To register as an interested and/or affected party and for further information related to the proposed redevelopment, please contact Africa Environmental Consultants (ACER): Giles Churchill at 035 340 2715 or stlucia@acerafrica.co.za.
