Sea 'may swamp parts of Cape Town'

Rising sea levels and increasingly frequent storms linked to global climate change could affect developments proposed for coastal sites in Cape Town.

These would affect projects such as the proposed development near the AECI site in Strand and expansions to the Potsdam wastewater treatment works in Table View.


A report on a sea-level risk assessment study by the City of Cape Town and consultants warns that the city is "particularly vulnerable" to the effects of climate change.

Which way do you think the sea flows?

Consultant Lucinda Fairhurst said there was particular concern about the effect of rising sea levels on infrastructure and services along Cape Town's 307km coastline.

"Storms are going to increase in the next decade and with increased frequency, there will not be enough time for natural barriers (such as dunes) to replenish themselves."

Areas such as Woodbridge Island and Fish Hoek would be severely affected.

Heavy storms in Fish Hoek would affect the railway track, recreational facilities, the car park and shops near the beach.

Strand would also be affected by heavy wave action. The construction of high-rise buildings along the seafront had affected the direction of the wind and the sea currents.

The Sea Point Promenade, although not particularly vulnerable, was built on reclaimed land. Waves reached as high as 17 metres in heavy storms, Fairhurst said.

Gregg Oelofse, of the city's strategy and planning directorate, said the findings would be used to guide coastal development and spatial planning.

"The natural coastline is the best defence against storms. But as the climate changes, the beaches will be less able to recover (after a storm). The city has to protect the thickness of beaches."

Cleaning methods, for example, needed to be reviewed so that they did not compound the erosion of dunes. - Cape Times