December 10, 2003

Wilson's Wharf is often referred to as one of Durban's "premier flagship projects", but the development is attracting complaints about pollution in the area and incomplete landscaping.

Some people have complained particularly about the area around the car park and the buttress of land enclosing the small craft berth site, which they said was surrounded by grass, rubble, sand and bits of scrap metal. Other complaints were about the litter on the shoreline at low tide and in the walkways as well as bench facilities in the area.

Nadine Foord of Manor Gardens said: "I took some friends from abroad down there for lunch recently and was hard-pressed to explain to them why the area was in that state.

"One wonders why there isn't a rigorously-administered conservation programme in place where all litter, including that washed ashore, is picked up on a daily basis.

"Also the landscaping described in the media before project-completion indicated that almost the entire area would be grassed and planted with trees suitable for that environment.

"Benches were to be in place so that visitors to the Wharf could meander along the buttress to the water's edge or sit and enjoy the splendid view.

None of this has happened."

Izak van Rooijen, a trustee of the Durban Wharfside Trust, a trust fully owned by Ithala, which owns and manages the development, said: "The rubble and sand referred to was because of renovations by a tenant. This has since been removed and the grass area has been mown.

"Two large metal objects form part of the working marina and relate to maintenance equipment for the walkways within this area.

"The sand spit area remains under the control of the Port Authority, but Wilson's Wharf management has spent a large sum of money in an attempt to plant salt-resistant grass on this area, the results of which are slowly coming to fruition.

"I can not say with certainty that benches were promised, but this is a good idea.

"The washing up of litter comes in with the various tides from throughout the harbour area as well as from the city's drainage systems. However, regular clean-ups do take place, supervised by the Port Authority and, in fact, Wilson's Wharf sponsors a local environmental agency to undertake clean ups of the beach and sand spit area. Wilson's Wharf has employed someone to remove debris from the shoreline," he said.

"Beautification and conservation is an ongoing process and is the concern of the management and tenants of Wilson's Wharf. We are very experienced with land-based developments and this is our first waterfront development. We are confident this project can develop into something positive and we welcome suggestions from the public," said Van Rooijen.