INTERNATIONAL visitors are not looking for a Dubai in Durban, insisted some locals who attended an open meeting to discuss the proposed Point development. While some protested the development others were happy to support the new plans.
The public meeting on Friday evening at the Botanic Gardens, followed an eventful open day last month which prompted eThekwini municipality in partnership with the Durban Point Development Company to grant the public an additional opportunity to comment on the controversial Durban Point Waterfront Development plan.
John Ferendinos, an architect and urban designer for the Point development delivered a passionate presentation of the proposed development which he said would serve as a “catalyst” to enhance other development opportunities planned for the Inner-City Regeneration Plan which the municipality had developed to address infrastructure and development challenges in the City.
Affected residents also took the opportunity to air their views on the proposed plan. Rosemary Greig used the opportunity to voice her displeasure. The businesswoman, who receives international visitors all year through, said her last batch of holiday makers left early. “The visitors want to get away from the high rise ugly buildings and get a piece of our natural beautiful beaches,” she said.
Another resident, planner, Clive Foster could not understand the logic behind “such high buildings so close to the beach.” But the development did have the backing of some. Rory Wilkinson, of the SA Property Owners Association felt the development would “put Durban on a whole new growth market.” “It will promote Durban and really put it on the international map. We need this development to bring people into the area to help stimulate a successful business environment. . Another comment was that people were too quick to resist change and were opposed to development. Local contractors also enquired if they would benefit by being awarded work for the development.
However, not all concerns were negative. Kris Moodley said, “As a Durbanite, I feel this development is a catalyst. Durban is dying slowly and not many people realise it. We need to rejuvenate the city and bring in investors. This process has been going on for a decade, the developers and designer have done a good job for the environment, water sports clubs and the general aesthetics.” Moodley said the high rises were necessary to make the project financially viable.
Councillor Geoff Pullan raised concerns about the placement of the buildings and was satisfied when project manager and head of operations for the Malaysian developers, UEM Sunrise, Soban Bevarah assured him the buildings were set well back off the promenade. The local contractors also seemed happy to hear that the Malaysian developers were looking for opportunities to work with local companies.
Karin Solomon from Save Our Sunshine Durban asked why the Durban Paddle Ski Club was excluded from negotiations between DPDC and Durban’s water sports clubs especially after the club used all the financial means at its disposal, to embark on a legal battle to save the beach. “It is incomprehensible, sinister even, that they should be excluded from planning for the future of the water sports clubs,” she said. She also challenged the powers that be to think about putting a school in the development area, especially after hearing that Addington Primary would have to be relocated if the development went ahead.
