‘Green’ development planned for eMdloti

DURING an intimate media brunch on Wednesday, the eMdloti Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) as well as representatives of Tongaat Hulett (TH) discussed the future of the quaint coastal town.

One of the biggest subjects raised at the meeting was the Sibaya Development Plan. The development plan involves two ‘nodes’ west of the town (near the M4) which currently hold unfarmed cane plantations. The agriculture and agri-processing giant is hoping to construct high-density residential homes and hotels on this land, as well as commercial properties.

In Node 5 there are 76.7 hectares of developable space, and TH is hoping to construct 1 185 residential units and 490 hotel rooms, and 37 900 square metres will be used for commercial building. In Node 1 there are 49.6 hectares of land where TH is planning to build 1 140 residential units and 130 hotel rooms, and 65 800 square metres are available for commercial development.

Sithembiso Mthembu, TH development executive, said at the meeting that they would be conducting ‘responsible’ development and would not encroach on the protected coastal dune forest.

“We have embraced the forest and would like to keep and maintain it. The conservancy line has been defined and there is now a forest buffer (between the development and the forest). We see the green areas as assets to be included in our development, and we want to see the forest used and managed in a responsible way. If the community does not see the benefit they won’t take ownership of the forest, and if no one takes care of the green areas the criminal elements will take advantage,” he said.

Mthembu also took the opportunity to address any concerns regarding the influx of people and vehicles in light of the proposed development, as questions were raised by the media at the meeting as to how the increase of residents and visitors would impact the single entrance as well as limited parking within eMdloti.

He dispelled any notion that an additional entrance into eMdloti would be constructed, as such development would encroach on the forest. “We also do not have any plans for ‘hard’ parking as it would not incorporate well with the vision that we have for eMdloti. The idea is to explore other forms of transport, such as funicular or golf carts. Wooden boardwalks have also been suggested to encourage a pedestrianised area,” he said.

Terry Ann Rens, the manager of the eMdloti UIP, expanded on Mthembu’s comments, saying, “We want to develop the town into a clean, green space that would attract eco-tourists. The long-term goal would be to have experts at the beach and the forest, teaching people about the assets. If we don’t utilise and manage our assets they will be lost – the forest and the ocean feed off each other. Development is bound to happen, so we want to be proactive and partner with the developers to make it beneficial for all parties,” she said.