Bathers risk diseases in Tg Aru beach
Published on: Thursday, August 25, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Tanjung Aru Beach is a popular recreational beach famed for glorious sunsets, but – not all is well in the city Aru Waterfront paradise.Based on World Health Organisation (WHO) reference, the level of pollution in the drains and nearshore off Tanjung Aru Beach and its surroundings carries a high risk of transmission of diseases. Water samples collected over several campaigns show high faecal counts.Bathing water quality is affected by the existing conditions that show eight drains discharge polluted water directly onto the beach.
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The public is exposed to the polluted water when bathing in the vicinity of the drains and in shallow water.This was revealed during the presentation of findings with regard to the Special Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) report by DHI consultants who have drawn up an eco-friendly master plan vision to rehabilitate, regenerate and rejuvenate the natural beauty of Tanjung Aru Beach for future generations.DHI Water & Environment (M) Sdn Bhd is the SEIA Consultant firm. Public can submit feedback by email: [email protected]"Important understanding when dealing with waterfront development – that artificial beaches and waterways don't know they are artificial, they will immediately start responding to the natural marine forces.
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"It is imperative for a successful design to understand the mechanisms that generate natural attractive beaches and lagoons."DHI's design strategy is guided by the 'Work with Nature' principles. Working with nature ensures sustainability and minimum impacts," said DHI presenter Tania Golingi.
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DHI proposed the creation of a new 1.35 km long public beach, 65m wide at high tide, 125m wide at low tide with 60m wide linear beachside public park featuring beach promenade, food kiosks, walking tracks, changing facilities, toilets to be serviced with free electric bus along the beach to boost the local tourism industry and create long term employment for the people of Sabah.The plan also aims to revitalise and enlarge Prince Philip Park with a 1,800 public car park in seven storey structure nearby to keep the development a 'car-lite area' with dedicated cycle lanes.The consultants opined that the beach within the project area is suffering erosion with the useable beach largely absent at high tide. Sand quality has severely deteriorated with increasing flood risks.Without intervention, erosion will continue and further reduce amenity beach. Beach quality will further deteriorate and continue to be a risk to recreational uses as bathing water quality is unhealthy. Flood risks and occurrences will increase.Question: Why such a large project – can the issues not be solved through a smaller scale project, e.g. realigning drains combined with beach nourishment?Answer: Some improvements can be achieved through beach nourishment, but a larger project is required to achieve most of the objectives.Most of the enhancements will not be realised and it will not be sustainable. The erosion tendency will remain. Poor sediment quality in deeper water will remain and be re-suspended by waves to create turbid water.Fines from Sungei Petagas will still reach the site and together with suspended fines mix with new material to deteriorate beach quality. In addition, there will be no revenue stream to finance and maintain the improvements.The targeted beach reopening schedule is set on Month 31 of the construction duration of 33 months with the intent to keep the 3rd Beach open for as long as practical and safe.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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