By Tabelo Timse

After six years in the pipeline, one of Nelson Mandela Bay‘s most ambitious development proposals, the R4,5-billion Madiba Bay Leisure Park along Marine Drive, could be cancelled if the developer does not comply with stipulated municipal requirements.

At a full council meeting last week, the municipality threatened to pull the plug on the project unless developers finished phase two within the next two months.

Municipal manager Graham Richards said phase two included obtaining a record of decision in terms of the environmental impact assessment and submitting site development plans acceptable to the municipality.

Although the council had made the same resolutions last year, the two parties had held several meetings to try to sort out the issue. There had not been any progress, however.

The council also resolved that the department of economic and environmental affairs be advised that the environmental impact report lodged by the developers, Eastcape Showcase, was not compliant with the lease and could not be supported by the municipality.

It was also resolved that the lease owner be given reasonable notice as provided in the lease to pay outstanding rates, failing which the lease would be cancelled.

The resolution was part of a report on the progress of the Madiba Bay project submitted to mayor Nondumiso Maphazi.

The original lease was concluded on November 21, 2002, and was amended in 2003 and 2005. The contract is for 49 years and 11 months from the start of phase three.

Richards said because there was no timeframe stipulated for the implementation of phase two, the municipality had to give the developer a reasonable time.

The land runs for 32km along Marine Drive through Schoenmakerskop to Sardinia Bay and up to 6km inland, part of it abutting the Port Elizabeth Airport and Driftsands Drive.

Madiba Bay Leisure Park director Johann Dreyer could not be reached for comment.

Source: The Herald