Work to clear debris along storm-battered Seven Mile approved

Fallen trees, broken foundations and twisted rebar left scattered along the storm-battered Seven Mile shorefront can begin to be cleared after government decided to waive the permit process.

Wave action from Hurricane Helene pummelled the already eroded beachfront last week. Properties at the southern end of the beach suffered severe damage in some cases.

But works to clear the shore and secure properties had been delayed amid uncertainty over what level of work was allowed along the shoreline bordering a protected marine park.

A guidance note issued by government Friday indicated Cabinet had taken the decision not to require a Coastal Works Permit to “remove or clear-away certain debris from the marine environment”.

It lists the removal of man-made building materials or large trees that that have fallen into the sea among the types of work that can take place without a permit.

In these cases, property owners are asked to alert government through an online form and can then get on with the work immediately.

Sustainability Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said in a press release that the guidance was a first step in dealing with the impact of erosion on Seven Mile.

“Since the passing of the most recent storms, our shorelines have been left in a state that poses a major safety risk to all who traverse the beach and ocean,” she said.

“Issuing this urgently needed guidance on the safe removal of debris is only the first step to addressing our compromised beaches.”

The announcement follows meetings on Monday that Ebanks-Wilks said would ultimately lead to longer-term action.

“Tackling the beach erosion will require a cross-ministerial approach, and involvement by the private sector to develop short, medium and long-term solutions to the issues relating to beach erosion.”

Private sector interests along Seven Mile, including homeowner Ergun Berksoy who pledged US$3 million and the Dart group, which has funded multiple reports on the issue, have indicated willingness to help fund beach nourishment or other engineered solutions in partnership with government.

Friday’s statement from government didn’t indicate what stage those discussions had reached.

Ebanks-Wilks said the first step was to facilitate property owners to remove debris in a safe and efficient manner.

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