Malaysia: Sabah reclamation may affect five islands

muguntan vanar The Star 1 Jul 14;

KOTA KINABALU: The proposed sea reclamation and re-zoning of Sabah’s iconic Tanjung Aru for hotels and resorts under a redevelopment plan may affect five islands in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park here, said WWF-Malaysia executive director Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma.

He said coastal sea reclamation could cause irreparable damage to the eco-system in Tanjung Aru and areas around it.

WWF-Malaysia believes that coastal reclamation can affect the water table, ground water, salt water and freshwater interface, in-shore current systems and coastal morphology, among others.

It can also cause marine changes which may have an impact as far out as the islands and reefs in and around Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, he said yesterday.

Furthermore, he said, the development plan for hotels and resorts was zoned at sea which was outside the gazetted boundary of Tanjung Aru beach.

“Such zoning of sea areas implies that development involving reclamation might be allowed in the seas,” he added.

Dr Sharma said the Tanjung Aru beach area here was an important green space for the public.

“Urban green space per capita is an important indicator for a sustainable and liveable city,” he said.

Environmental groups are campaigning for City Hall to abandon re-development plans for Tanjung Aru beach.

Dr Sharma said any development must not interfere with existing public access to the beach.

“Public access should be readily available and not be overly burdensome,” he added.

The latest Tanjung Aru Eco-Development (TAED) plan shows that the beach is proposed to be widened to at least 50m at high tide from the current 9m.

TAED executive director Datuk Victor Paul said the beach had lost 60m to 70m to erosion over the past 50 years.

“It would be important to examine the evidence and record of the erosion to date to identify possible causes.

“If the extent of the erosion in the past is true, how would the developers ensure that erosion will not wash away the reclaimed beach in the future?” he asked.

He said there should be more public briefings and consultations on the reclamation area and zoning of Tanjung Aru beach.

WWF-Malaysia concerns over DBKK’s Local Plan
WWF media release 30 Jun 14;

30 June 2014, Kota Kinabalu: World Wide Fund for Nature – Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) is raising concern about the reclamation area and zoning for ‘Hotel & Resorts’ in Tanjung Aru Beach as shown in the Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) Local Plan 2020.

The zoned area under ‘Hotels & Resorts’ as shown in the draft DBKK Local Plan for the Tanjung Aru beach area covers three areas on water. According to the Local Plan, there are zoned areas of seas which are outside the gazetted boundary.

“Such zoning of the sea areas implies development involving reclamation might be allowed in the seas. WWF-Malaysia believes that coastal reclamation can affect the water table, the ground water, the salt water and freshwater interface, the inshore current systems and coastal morphology, the sea biota, the hydrodynamic of sediment transportation, and changes in oceanography which may have impacts as far out as the islands and reefs in and around Tunku Abdul Rahman Park,” said WWF-Malaysia’s Executive Director/CEO, Dato’ Dr Dionysius Sharma.

The Tanjung Aru beach area in Kota Kinabalu is an important green space for the public. Public parks and open spaces are vital for the quality of life and public health. Urban green space per capita is an important indicator for a sustainable and liveable city.

WWF-Malaysia recognises the necessary right of the public’s enjoyment of the beach. Any development made must not interfere with the existing public access to the beach nor negatively affect the beach. Public access should be readily available and not be overly burdensome.

The latest Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) plan shows that the beach is proposed to be widened to at least 50 metres (m) at high tide from the current 9m. According to TAED Executive Director Datuk Victor Paul, the beach has previously lost 60 to 70m to erosion over the past 50 years.

“It would be important to examine the evidence and record of the erosion to date to identify possible causes. If the extent of the erosion in the past is true, how would the developers ensure that erosion will not wash away the reclaimed beach in the future? Another important factor to this development is the sourced sand in the beach and possible impacts it may cause at the sand mining site.” said Dr Sharma.

“Transparency of the development is important to the public. As part of the concerned citizens of Sabah, WWF-Malaysia urges for more public briefings and consultations towards the reclamation area and zoning of Tanjung Aru beach. WWF-Malaysia strongly urges for sustainable development of the Tanjung Aru beach. Let us advocate for sustainable living and live together in harmony with nature.” added Dr Sharma.