Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Unedited version of Jean Lindsay's letter to the Editor ( The Mercury )

VETCH’S BEACH : LETTER TO THE MERCURY JANUARY 2008

I write as a frequent user of Vetch’s beach for more than 30 years. Vetch’s beach and sea bring back many memories of sailing boats, boardsailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, walking and just relaxing on the beach.

Vetch’s is a world class sailing venue providing safe and ‘soft’ launching and landing for many competitors. I represented South Africa in 1980 sailing in the States, Canada and Denmark and Vetch’s provided me and many others with an excellent training area and equipped us to compete internationally in any waters in the world.

Snorkeling and scuba diving along Vetch’s reef has opened up for many the beauty and amazing ecology of life under the sea.

The new “Option S” has the following undesirable implications for water sport users :
The narrow 100m launch and landing area for sailing boats will be a nightmare in certain weather conditions.
The 50 m entrance with all hardened surfaces will be difficult and dangerous to negotiate under certain wind conditions.
Scuba divers will have to carry heavy equipment about 300m from the Club house to the diving area.
I question the super basement for parking with climate change and rising levels of sea water and storm surges.
‘Wind shadows’ from the proposed buildings below the High Water Mark will impact on the movement of sailing boats to exit and enter the harbour area.
Snorkeling and scuba diving on Vetch’s reef alongside the new proposed peer with resultant surges will often be a most unpleasant experience.

Vetch’s is a unique, affordable recreational facility. It is a child and family- friendly amenity, an excellent learner space for many water sport activities and has (or had until recently) easy public movement and access.

Once again our environment suffers as a result of greedy developers. Will this be another ‘white elephant’ that the rate payers will have to bail out in future ?

I strongly oppose this destruction of our precious natural heritage for man-made structures and propose that this special 500 m of Vetch’s beach be left as is for future enjoyment of all citizens of eThekwini.

DON’T MESS WITH OUR VETCH’S.

Jean D Lindsay January 2008.
Passionate about Vetch’s.