Small craft harbour proposed for Port Shepstone
The harbor would be a node that will bring investment, open up the South Coast's ocean economy also protecting the Marine Protected Area no:17
The South Coast has been identified as one of the areas in which a small craft harbour can be constructed, to boost the ocean economy in Ugu District, also creating investment opportunities and employment.
According to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) spokesperson, Simon April the erstwhile Hibiscus Coast Municipality participated in the national programme, Operation Phakisa which was driven by the National Department of Public Works and five areas – Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach, Margate and Port Edward were identified as potential areas where a harbour could be built.
April said some preliminary studies were undertaken and to date Hibberdene, Port Shepstone and Port Edward remain areas of interest to both government and the private sector or potential investors.
“Feasibility studies were then conducted of which some were commissioned by the Department of Public Works as part of Operation Phakisa Small Harbours and others by interested private developers expressing interests in these developments,” added April.
One of the proposals for a small craft harbour in Port Shepstone came from a group of local civil engineers, surveyors and consultants who pooled their knowledge to champion the construction which they suggested be built between the lighthouse precinct and the Port Shepstone beach tidal pool.
Representing the group, Tony Kay said the development of a small craft harbour would definitely boost tourism too.
He said as a former SA Navy junior officer, the focus is on marine surveying of the seaward approaches of all the ports.
“Most progressive countries have tourism Special Economic Zones (SEZ) just like the one which was proposed in Ugu and was adopted by council in 2012/2013.
“If the SEZ is initiated, the harbour would be a capital development to establish an ocean economy which we presently do not have. The plan is to build a 800m long breakwater from the Port Shepstone fishing pier out to sea and around the tidal pool. The entrance would be on the north-east side,” Kay explained.
He said his team has been working on the design and concept with the assistance of Stellenbosch Marine Consultancy which did not charge a cent.
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) CEO Phelisa Mangcu said they believe that there is great potential for job creation on the KZN South Coast through ocean economy.
“Through strategic partnerships, we will be unlocking this and facilitating investments for sustainable job creation. One sector we will be focusing on is the development of the ocean economy. This will include catalytic projects with the creation of the Port Shepstone Harbour being seriously considered to further attract investors to the district,” said Mangcu.
April further confirmed that RNM is aware of Kay’s proposal which is being considered within the legal and policy frameworks applicable to the type of proposition he has made, however the outcome of the detailed studies and the maritime specialists’ inputs will guide the end product of these subject sites.
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