Mayor promises to fast-track big Bay projects

TO unlock the city’s growth potential, Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo said the municipality will this year propel the roll out of game-changing projects, some of which have been on the cards for nearly over a decade.

These ‘Strategic Economic Projects’ include The Ridge Estate development in Meerensee, the Richards Bay waterfront development, Airport City, an international convention centre and office park to attract investors, stimulate growth and create jobs.

Delivering his final State of the City address at the eSikhaleni FET sport fields on Saturday, Mhlongo said the initiatives need ‘major acceleration’.

‘On the new Airport City project, the process to appoint a team of specialists to undertake the feasibility study will commence next month and we have received a capital injection from MEC Sihle Zikalala’s department (Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs), to the tune of R1-million in support of this project.

‘For The Ridge Estate, the process to appoint a team of specialists to undertake urban design will be finalised this month.

‘Once developed, this estate will become the jewel of coastal living in the City of uMhlathuze.

‘Regarding the convention centre complex and office park, the development is important for the city to grow the events tourism sector.

‘The appointment of a service provider is currently underway and should be completed this month.

‘The land for development of this world class facility has been reserved by the city as part of the waterfront precincts.’

Billions in investments
Mhlongo said the municipality will be undertaking phased development of various waterfront precincts as part of enhancing the coastal and marine tourism sector.

‘It is envisaged that the incremental development of the waterfront will be approximately R6-billion.

‘The process of developing urban designs and invitation to interested investors will start soon.

‘The full development of the waterfront will take approximately 15 to 20 years.’

He acknowledged the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) for its successful efforts in attracting several investors to the city.

‘Investors to be located in the IDZ include Nyanza Light Metals with a project value of R4.5-billion, Elegant Afro Line (R500-million, EMV Nanomaterials (R250-million), SPS Manufacturing Pty Ltd -(R300-million) Pro Star Export Paint (R16-million) and RB Energy Services (R20-million).

‘We are indeed proud of the RBIDZ and we will continue to work together to attract more investors and create more job opportunities.

‘To this end, if fully implemented by the city, government and our social partners, it is projected that the formal, informal and self-employed sectors in the city can create at least 6 200 job opportunities by 2020 and 18 645 in 2030.’

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