Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment

COASTAL
What are the “bottom lines” and non-negotiables
No development should be allowed in sand movement corridors, frontal dunes or dynamic dune
systems. Developments should be placed inland of secondary dunes.
Mobile dunes must not be stabilised.
Strict control should be maintained over the use of Off-road Vehicles (ORVs) on beaches. There must
be a strictly enforced ban (that includes management vehicles) against driving in dune systems and
above the high water mark on beaches. Access to the beach must be controlled via designated access
points.
Provision should be made for rehabilitation of mined-out areas when mining ceases, and of
historically mined areas.
What broad spatial guidelines can be given with respect to
the best approach to development and disturbance
Infrastructure must be positioned to avoid damage from coastal processes and, where possible, to
avoid the need for physical defences against potential damage resulting from coastal processes.
No permanent infrastructure should be installed on sandy beaches and in dynamic or mobile dune
systems.
Development setback lines must be rigorously applied, taking into account the need to protect
development from coastal processes by: absorption of the impacts of severe storm sequences; allowing
for shoreline movement; allowing for global sea level rise; allowing for the fluctuation of natural coastal
processes; and any combination of the above. 1
Development setbacks must also take into account biodiversity and ecosystem requirements
(especially in Dune Thicket systems), landscape, seascape, visual amenity, indigenous and cultural
heritage, public access, recreation, and safety to lives and property (consult the guideline on Dune
Thicket and Dune Fynbos p.32).
Avoid the removal and fragmentation of indigenous vegetation in the frontal dune area. Maintain a
buffer of contiguous indigenous vegetation between the inland boundary of the youngest fixed dune
trough and the seaward boundary of the
development (the exact setback will depend Certain bathing beaches may eventually disappear if sand
movement via headland by-pass dunes is impeded by property
on the biophysical characteristics and
development and infestation by alien plants.
requirements of the area, and the type and
scale of development) 2 .
There must be rigorous adherence to the
precautionary principle when constructing
fixed infrastructure below the high water
mark.
Driving on sandy beaches above the high
water mark or in dune systems must be prohibited.
The ban on driving should also be maintained
at popular bathing beaches, on
beaches that support important shorebird
breeding, feeding or roosting sites, and in the
coastal zone of coastal protected areas
except on proclaimed roads.
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
30 : SANDY BEACHES & DUNE SYSTEMS 1. Western Australian Planning Commission (2003) Statement of Planning Policy No 2.6 - State Coastal
Planning Policy. Prepared under Section 5AA of the Town Planning and Development Act 1928.
2. Council for the Environment (1991) A policy for coastal zone management in the Republic of South
Africa, Part 2: Guidelines for coastal land-use. Council for the Environment, Pretoria.