Coastal Infrastructure Reevaluation: 15 Public Beaches in Critical Condition

After more than two decades of existence, the Ministry of Environment has initiated a reevaluation of coastal protection infrastructures due to the pronounced impacts of climate change. This includes increasingly intense and extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and stronger waves.

Roches-Noires:

In Roches-Noires, coastal enhancements have been undertaken twice in recent years to combat erosion and protect the beach.

The first intervention in 2012 involved reshaping approximately 200 meters of the beach profile.

A follow-up effort in 2016 included the installation of a 20-meter long rock seawall and a flexible gravel surface with a 1:5 slope along a 90-meter long protective wall.

Proposed Works:

• Sand monitoring program: Estimated cost of Rs 300,000.
• Motorcycle parking area: Rs 49,900 budget required for better access.
• Water quality monitoring: Regular analysis costing Rs 90,000.
• Total estimated cost of works: Rs 439,000.

Quatre-Sœurs:

Significant coastal work was carried out in Quatre-Sœurs in 2017 to protect the shoreline and enhance coastal areas.

These efforts have mitigated erosion while improving the site for visitors and residents.

The project resulted in a rehabilitated area filled with decorative trees and plants, enhancing local aesthetics and ecosystems.

A 2-meter wide pedestrian walkway was also constructed for public enjoyment.

Additionally, a prefabricated concrete seawall was erected to prevent damage from strong waves, complemented by a sloped rock surface measuring 8 to 10 meters wide and extending 850 meters to stabilize the shore.

Proposed Works:

• Removal of vegetation from the rock surface: Rs 87,500.
• Waste cleanup: Rs 52,500.
• Drain cleaning: Rs 52,500.
• Annual cleaning budget: Rs 250,000.
• Public lighting: Rs 100,000.
• Water quality monitoring: Rs 60,000.
• Total estimated cost of works: Rs 602,500.

Case-Noyale:

From 2018 to 2019, coastal improvements were made in Case-Noyale to strengthen protections and enhance accessibility.

This included the construction of two rock breakwaters, each 42 meters long and approximately 6 meters wide, at both ends of a gravel beach 10 to 12 meters wide.

A rock surface 90 meters long was installed alongside a solid concrete wall standing 1,100 mm tall.

A 2.6-meter wide promenade was built at the base of this wall, and an additional 1-meter wide walkway was created along the earth side of the parapet extending 90 meters.

Proposed Works:

• Installation of splash-proof concrete barriers: Rs 318,150.
• Creation of a parking area: Rs 529,586.
• Maintenance of public infrastructure: Rs 430,000.
• Construction of sedimentation basins and drain inspection chambers: Rs 231,250.
• Additional sedimentation basins: Rs 20,875.
• Total estimated cost of works: Rs 1,529,861.

Le Morne:

In 2015, coastal development works aimed at protecting and revitalizing the shoreline were initiated.

These included the installation of two to three rows of geobags buried over a length of about 300 meters, a rock surface spanning 500 meters, as well as reshaping the beach and associated landscaping.

Several existing natural drains were also improved to enhance rainwater management.

Proposed Works:

• Beach reshaping: Rs 1,049,400.
• Erosion control measures near three existing drains: Rs 1,857,978.
• Construction of a wooden access staircase: Rs 150,000.
• Replacement of information panels: Rs 28,000.
• Installation of trash bins: Rs 15,000.
• Building a rock surface in a steep area south of Dilo Pourri: Rs 7,500,000.
• Total estimated cost of works: Rs 10,600,378.

Mont Choisy:

Between 2018 and 2019, construction projects were initiated that included the installation of 995 units of artificial reefs known as “reef balls,” measuring between 1.8 to 2.1 meters in diameter and 1.3 to 1.8 meters in height, to serve as marine breakwaters.

Additionally, beach reshaping was carried out over about 450 meters, landscaping along the beach, and the removal of an existing rocky jetty occupying around 250 m².

Proposed Works:

• Installation and maintenance of light posts: Rs 228,000.
• Installation of solid waste sorting devices and recreational benches: Rs 450,000.
• Removal of the rocky mole: Rs 200,000.
• Rock protection around a religious sanctuary structure: Rs 112,000.
• Monitoring of the artificial reef: Rs 600,000.
• Water quality and beach profile monitoring: Rs 480,000.
• Beach furniture: Rs 400,000.
• Beach nourishment, including tree removal over an area of 80 m²: Rs 2,778,000.
• Removal of trees in the northern section (80m to 180m): Rs 750,000.
• Total estimated cost of works: Rs 5,998,000.

Vieux Grand-Port:

Between 2017 and 2018, significant coastal protection works were undertaken in Vieux Grand-Port, which included the installation of a flexible gravel covering along approximately 150 meters of beachfront.

These enhancements were designed to bolster the resilience of the shoreline against erosion and wave impacts.

Proposed Works:

• Beach redevelopment: Rs 322,500
• Monitoring of redeveloped beach: Rs 180,000
• Construction of a boat ramp: Rs 604,240
• Maintenance program: Rs 52,500
• Installation of signage: Rs 100,000
• Improvements requested by local villagers: Rs 1,000,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 2,259,240

Grand-Sable:

Coastal protection enhancements were carried out in Grand-Sable from 2019 to 2020.

This project included the installation of a flexible gravel surface with a 1:5 slope over approximately 420 meters and the construction of two small rock breakwaters.

These improvements aim to stabilize the shoreline against erosion and wave action.

Proposed Works:

• Rehabilitation of benches: Rs 1,898,400
• Construction of a boat ramp: Rs 1,205,400
• Drain cleaning: Rs 52,500
• Landscaping and recreation area improvements: Rs 70,000
• Repair of a storage cabinet: Rs 25,000
• Monitoring of the flexible surface: Rs 300,000
• Creation of a children’s playground: Rs 500,000
• Construction of catchment basins and inspection chambers for three existing drainage pipes: Rs 165,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 4,216,300

Baie-du-Cap:

In 2014, coastal development initiatives were launched in Baie-du-Cap to enhance and beautify the area.

These measures included a 600-meter rock surface installation, a roughly 300-meter long wall made from geobags filled with sand, and landscaping efforts in the space between the newly constructed coastal structures and the Savanne B9 coastal road.

Proposed Works:

• Removal of vegetation from the rock surface: Rs 262,500
• Reshaping of the beach section currently under geobags: Rs 1,041,900
• Rehabilitation of erosion protection measures at existing drainage outlets: Rs 750,000
• Repair of existing drains: Rs 1,500,000
• Improvements requested by survey respondents: Rs 975,000
• Removal of fallen trees: Rs 175,000
• Monitoring of the reshaped beach: Rs 300,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 5,004,400

Rivière-des-Galets:

From 2018 to 2019, measures were implemented to enhance coastal protection.

This included the construction of a reinforced concrete parapet wall approximately 410 meters long, paired with an 800 mm wide sidewalk adjacent to the wall on the land side.

Additionally, a sloped rock surface, ranging from 10 to 12 meters wide, extends into the sea from the parapet wall at a 1:5 slope.

Proposed Works:

• Cleaning of the rock surface: Rs 52,500
• Regular maintenance for one year (Rs 52,500 per month): Rs 630,000
• Public lighting installation: Rs 120,000
• Reinstatement of rocks in the rock surface: Rs 287,000
• Construction of a launching ramp: Rs 300,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 1,389,500

Pointe-aux-Sables:

In 2010 and 2011, construction efforts included the installation of a rock surface along 240 meters of the waterfront, as well as a perpendicular rock surface.

Two staircases were constructed within the rock surface to enhance accessibility.

Proposed Works:

• Erosion control measures at the base of the stairs: Rs 20,000
• Public lighting: Rs 138,000
• Beach elevation: Rs 42,000
• Relocation of sanitary facilities: Rs 130,000
• Drain discharge pit at natural drain outlet: Rs 141,500
• Water quality monitoring: Rs 200,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 671,500

Baie-du-Tombeau:

Between 2017 and 2018, efforts included a sloped rocky surface 8 to 10 meters wide, extending 300 meters, alongside a 4-meter wide pedestrian promenade running the length of the rocky surface.

Pedestrian connections were established to public access roads, and a 450 mm wide, 300-meter long solid concrete wall was built to support the rocky covering, accompanied by a secondary 2-meter wide sloped rocky surface on the land side of the promenade.

Proposed Works:

• Block fencing, barriers, and spikes along the promenade: Rs 985,000
• Boat ramp construction: Rs 268,370
• Absorption wells/ drainage pits: Rs 390,950
• Erosion control measures on the beach: Rs 160,200
• Maintenance: Rs 400,000
• Signage installation: Rs 120,000
• Installation of kiosks, viewing benches, and trash bins: Rs 1,105,000
• Monitoring of erosion and water levels between properties and the promenade: Rs 300,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 3,729,520

Trou-aux-Biches:

Construction efforts in 2008 included a sloped rock surface measuring 137 meters and a boat ramp.

In 2016, beach profiling was carried out using small pebbles along a length of 137 meters and a width of 5 meters at the base of the rock surface.

Proposed Works:

• Improvement of the rock surface: Rs 2,055,000
• Creation of a pebble/gravel beach south of the existing masonry wall (30 meters): Rs 36,000
• Flexible surfacing north of the masonry retaining wall (125 meters): Rs 870,000
• Leveling of gravel along the pebble beach at the base of the rock surface/masonry wall: Rs 164,800
• Renovation of the existing boat ramp: Rs 72,000
• Social improvement and landscaping measures: Rs 1,110,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 4,307,800

St-Félix:

In 2017, community improvements included the removal of asphalt from a coastal road over a distance of approximately 250 meters, as well as the demolition of a retaining wall between the Shanti Maurice hotel and nearby stairs.

This work also involved reshaping the beach with a 1:5 slope.

Proposed Works:

• Public lighting installation: Rs 95,000
• Targeted beach erosion measures: Rs 100,800
• Additional beach stabilization through planting: Rs 50,600
• Three-year monitoring of the beach: Rs 300,000
• Installation of kiosks, benches, and accessibility improvements: Rs 1,700,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 2,246,400

Grand-Baie:

Construction activities performed between 2018 and 2019 included a sloped rock installation along approximately 95 meters of beachfront, with a 6-meter width, as well as a large solid concrete retaining wall and a 1.5-meter high parapet extending 45 meters.

A pedestrian walkway was constructed, measuring around 130 meters in length and 2.6 meters in width, with steps leading down to the beach.

Landscaping was completed in a reclaimed area up to 10 meters wide between the rock covering and the existing B13 coastal road.

Intermittent cross drains equipped with metal grates were installed along the walkway.

Proposed Works:

• Monitoring of erosion risks at the base of the vertical retaining wall: Rs 300,000
• Splash protection on the vertical retaining wall: Rs 159,075
• Prohibition signage: Rs 100,000
• Parking area construction: Rs 622,550
• Protective covering at the base of the vertical retaining wall: Rs 900,000
• Monitoring of coliform levels: Rs 60,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 2,141,625

Bain-Bœuf:

Construction from 2016 to 2017 aimed to improve protection and enhance beach facilities while stabilizing the waterfront.

The project involved beach recharge and reshaping over a length of 465 meters, with a stabilization slope to prevent erosion.

Additional protection was provided through the installation of geobags over 150 meters on the eastern side of the beach.

Landscaping was also performed to harmonize the area between the elevated beach and the coastal road.

A vertical wall was constructed on the southern section of the waterfront to fortify the structure and safeguard surrounding infrastructure.

Proposed Works:

• Beach reshaping: Rs 2,488,225
• Beach recharge: Rs 1,722,525
• Beach monitoring: Rs 300,000
• Total estimated cost of proposed works: Rs 4,510,750

In summary, these proposed enhancements and renewals across various coastal regions highlight efforts to combat erosion and improve beach infrastructure, ensuring the sustainability and safety of these vital areas.

Source: Defi Media