St Lucia, in KwaZulu-Natal, has won a temporary reprieve from the 4×4 beach ban that was introduced at the beginning of the year.
St Lucia, in KwaZulu-Natal, has won a temporary reprieve from the 4×4 beach ban that was introduced at the beginning of the year.
The Mtubatuba Beach Action Group, including members of Khula Village and Dukuduku south, brought a High Court interdict relating to the use of vehicles on beaches at St Lucia against the national Minister of Environment Affairs and Tourism on socio-economic grounds. An out of court interim settlement was reached.
The lifting of the ban in the area comes into effect from 5am on Wednesday until September 30.
Jeff Gaisford, KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife spokesman, told CARtoday.com that 4x4s will be allowed on St Lucia from North Beach to First Rocks. “The area from north of the bathing beach to the mouth of the estuary is still closed. Visitors must get a permit, which costs R50, but is valid for the whole period of the temporary reprieve,” he said. Permits can be bought from the KwaZulu Wildlife offices at St Lucia.
Driving on the beach will be limited to between the high water mark and low water mark except for access ramps designated by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and /or the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority.
Vehicles will be permitted on the beaches daily from 5am to 10pm.
Lefras Uys, chairman of the committee, said that the ban had had a “tremendous economic and social impact” on the area. “Basically things are back to what they were, except the number of vehicles at any time is restricted to 300,” he said.
In April, the SA Shore Angling Association and the Oyster Bay Rate Payers Association, near Cape St Francis, had their application to overturn the ban on driving 4x4s on South African beaches in the Port Elizabeth High Court dismissed.
In his ruling, Judge Andre Erasmus said he found that the regulations were lawful and constitutional. The angling association and the Oyster Bay Ratepayers Association applied in January to have the regulations declared unlawful, unconstitutional, and null and void. The group said the ban had huge financial implications for them.
Vincent Taylor, vice-chairman of the angling association, said the reprieve in KwaZulu-Natal was good news, and they would also be looking at similar action.
He said the ban had had a negative effect on anglers. “Also, anglers in the Overberg area (from Hermanus to Stilbaai) are suing the municipality for the return of the money they have paid them for their annual permits. Last year this amounted to over R1 million,” he said.
Should other organisations also get a reprieve?
