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Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 1143 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mr G R Morgan (DA) to the above-mentioned question is
enclosed for your consideration.
Ms Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 1143
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8 NW1267E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 31 March 2011
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether the estuary mouth of St Lucia within the iSimangaliso Wetland
Park is currently open to the sea; if not, why not;
(2) whether any efforts are being made by park authorities to keep the
mouth of the estuary open on a continuous basis; if not, why not; if
so, what are the relevant details;
(3) what are the effects of the mouth of the estuary not being kept open
to the sea on an ongoing basis;
(4) whether efforts are being made to improve (a) access, (b) safety and
(c) lighting at the public jetty at St Lucia; if not, why not; if so,
what are the relevant details?
Mr G R Morgan (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
1143. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
1) No. The estuary mouth closed naturally due to the prolonged drought.
2) No. The St Lucia mouth is being managed for the health of the whole
90km Lake system based on best available scientific information.
Keeping the mouth artificially open to the sea by continuous dredging
would probably have a devastating effect on the ecology of Lake St
Lucia as it would lead to prolonged hyper-saline conditions leading to
the erosion of islands (this happened in the 1968-72 drought when it
was continuously dredged). This form of permanent damage to the lake
ecosystem has further consequences as the islands are sites for bird
breeding. The hyper-saline conditions also result in high levels of
stress of hippo, crocodile and other species causing high mortalities.
3) Please see answer on 2 above.
4) Yes. The public jetty is inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The
estuary jetty was built by iSimangaliso along with other infrastructure
such as the 480m estuary board walk to enhance visitor access. This
included the considered placement of âcappedâ type lighting. Use of the
area after sunset and before sunrise is not encouraged by the Park as
hippo, crocodile and other animals frequent the area as they have since
time immemorial. There are 21 prominent warning signs. The road
giving access to the jetty and boardwalk has also been re-tarred.Â
Upgrading of public ablutions are also currently in progress.
The improvements at the estuary public jetty are appropriate for and
consistent with the iSimangaliso's status as a World Heritage site -
the estuary and beach cannot be developed in the same manner as say
waterfronts at Margate or Durban and one cannot light it up due to the
negative impacts on ecological processes and key species.Â
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