State behind R5bn development
16 November 2009, 18:40
By Colleen Dardagan
The government has thrown its weight behind a massive R5 billion south coast harbour development, which has been on hold for the past five years due to "administrative backlogs".
The title deeds of the 3.2ha beachfront airstrip in Hibberdene, critical for the success of the proposed Spray Rock and Game Estate, were finally handed over to the Ugu district municipality by Public Works Deputy Minister Hendrina Zulu (CORRECT) yesterday, paving the way for the development to proceed.
But, extensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes and a farm included in the development, which is under claim, could still hinder progress.
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The government has thrown its weight behind a massive R5 billion south coast harbour development, which has been on hold for the past five years due to "administrative backlogs".
The title deeds of the 3.2ha beachfront airstrip in Hibberdene, critical for the success of the proposed Spray Rock and Game Estate, were finally handed over to the Ugu district municipality by Public Works Deputy Minister Hendrina Zulu (CORRECT) yesterday, paving the way for the development to proceed.
But, extensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes and a farm included in the development, which is under claim, could still hinder progress.
The project includes the construction of a small craft harbour, a hotel and conference centre, and retail space, and adjoins a 600ha inland residential golf estate, which is expected to generate significant rates income for the municipality and create about 6 000 direct and indirect jobs.
In an interview with The Mercury earlier this year, developer and local farmer Derrick Powell said failure by the Public Works Department to transfer the airstrip to the municipality, for the past five years, had resulted in the EIA being extended three times before it was finally cancelled earlier this year, putting the entire project in jeopardy.
At the time, the municipality blamed "backlogs" at the department for the delay.
Yesterday, Zulu defended the delay. "We had to make sure it was in the best interests of the community before we could make a decision," she said.
One of the farms earmarked for the development is also currently under claim, presenting the developers with another hurdle.
Ugu mayor Thembiso Cele (CORRECT) said, however, that the matter was in hand. "We are well aware the EIA has expired and we have already put things in motion with the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs to get it reinstated. And the development has been given the go-ahead by the Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs," he said.
Walter Silaule (CORRECT) from the regional Rural Development and Land affairs office said the official who was handling the Hibberdene matter was in Zimbabwe and it was difficult to comment on the issue.
However, the environmental manager for the KZN south region, Sarah Allan (CORRECT), said the EIA would have to be re-done "from scratch". "They (the developers) applied for an extension of the validity period, which was refused, and their appeal against the decision was dismissed.
"They have no other option but to start again and a lot more work will need to be done than on their first application. There is a lot of excavation and blasting."
She said approval could take as long as a year.
According to the lease agreement with the municipality, the developers have a year to secure financing, complete the preliminary engineering and technical drawings for the marina, and conclude agreements to acquire adjacent land and town planning approval, and agreements with Eskom and water suppliers.
Powell said construction companies had already expressed interest in the project. "But, our first step is to find investors while we draw up the final plans for the harbour. Now that we have government support, investors will be far more interested in getting involved," he said.
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