The eThekwini Municipality is currently home to a number of catalytic projects and according to Phillip Sithole Deputy City Manager of Economic Development and Planning, they are progressing well.

Sithole was updating the executive committee on the status of several projects including the Keystone Logistics and Business Hub, the Waterfront Development and the Virginia airport to name a few.

Keystone Logistics and Business Hub

Discussing the Keystone Logistics Hub Sithole said this was one of the major highlights of the City and was an ongoing project.

He noted that phase one, which has an investment value of R6 billion, was complete which has seen three factories finished. He requested that the Executive Committee pay an oversight visit to the project to see first-hand the impact the development has made.

“This project was a catalyst to revive Hammersdale as industries were dying there. Due to this investment we have seen a revival in this area. This project showcases what we want to see happening in the City where there was the participation of local businesses in the project with sub-contracting work given to local business. Jobs were also created,” Sithole said.

Waterfront Development

Speaking on the Point Waterfront Development, he said all approvals were in place.

He said the promenade extension, which was a City investment, would be launched in March adding that the contractor was now on site.

The investment for the project over the next 10 to 15 years is estimated to be around R30 billion to R35 billion with 11 000 construction jobs and 6 750 permanent jobs to be created. R200 million in rates per annum is expected to be generated.

He said further possibilities of the Point Waterfront Development project could include a residential component, the potential for a mall and hotel as well as land sale in progress to accommodate a high-end office park.

Virginia Airport

He also touched on the Virginia Airport site. Sithole said the proposal to develop the airport site was an unsolicited bid which was not approved by the Bid Adjudication Committee who stated that it must be an open tender process.

“This will be brought back to Council and go out for open tender. There have been media reports that we are doing away with the project which is not true.”

Responding to questions about the site and if it could remain an airport Sithole said as it stands the Council decision taken was that it be a high-end mixed use development which remains and would only change if another decision was taken by Council.

Completed projects

Catalytic projects that have been completed include the Amalgamated Beverage Industries, Land Use Strategy C3 Corridor and Westwood Phase one.

Projects underway

Projects underway include the Pearls Umhlanga, The Arch, Nedbank Square, Suncoast Casino, Clairwood Logistics Park, Cornubia and Dube Tradeport.