More on eThekwini’s refusal to join Blue Flag

Image via WikipediaDurban – Peter Rose, Director of the Umhlanga Tourism Information Centre, defended the eThekwini Municipality’s decision not to take part in the Blue Flag programme again. In a letter to TW he says: “The story that you have written on this subject whilst accurate does not tell the whole story about Durban and the withdrawal of the Blue Flag status.

“The issue is really one of eThekwini council refusing to believe that you can’t police your own area of beach for water quality and that an independent laboratory is an essential ingredient of having Blue Flag status to test the water quality. The great pity about all of the controversy surrounding this matter is that most (not all) of Durban’s beaches meet and exceed the requirements of Blue Flag yet because of the negative perceptions that have resulted by the withdrawal from the programme, most people now view the beaches here as sub standard which is not the case.

“Umhlanga’s main beach, for example, exceeds all of the current criteria for Blue Flag. Umhlanga’s bronze beach obtained pilot status until it was damaged by last year’s storms, but has now been repaired and could apply once more for pilot status if it was permitted. Umdloti’s main beach has pilot status but will now lose this. Durban’s north beach could still have the Blue Flag flying etc.

“The story about Blue Flag however does not end with water quality alone. The sand quality, toilets, security, and visitor advice centres, all have to be maintained as well as having life guards on duty and the cleaners REALLY have to work – as opposed to just lounging about unsupervised. The buildings on the beach have to be maintained and all of the facilities have to be in good order. In other words, Blue Flag sets a measure of quality and a standard that has to be maintained 24-7.

“All of the above really is the crux of the problem with eThekwini believing that they can and will police ALL of these issues on an ongoing basis, whilst the Blue Flag criteria says that there has to be an independent measure that keeps a check on how every municipality is doing.

“Its up to the readers to consider the pro’s and con’s and to make a judgement on the matter, but don’t condemn all of the beaches in eThekwini simply because of the belief of council that they and they alone can do the job. Umhlanga has a UIP in place that privately attends to the maintenance and security issues along their beaches on a day to day basis.

“The Blue Flag is also a great marketing tool and right now anything that will help to regenerate tourism into Durban is welcome as the increases in fuel costs and interest rate hikes are having a very negative effect on the tourism industry not only into Durban, but countrywide.”

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