Nicola Jenvey

MORELAND Properties proposes opening up the land around the Sibaya casino for development to attract an estimated R4bn worth of investment to the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.

The Tongaat-Hulett property arm always intended that the casino complex near Umdloti would act as an anchor for further developments, such as boutique hotels, luxury apartments and housing estates, a shopping centre and office premises.

In the past decade the group has released only a small percentage of its former cane lands for redevelopment, but has been instrumental in more than R10bn worth of new development north of Durban. That move has established the city as a new economic powerhouse and created another business district on the Umhlanga Ridge.

The proposed development, covering 850ha, will include Africa’s largest botanical gardens and incorporate the ecologically sensitive Hawaan Forest. It will be leveraged off fractional public- sector funding.

Moreland’s outgoing planning, housing and development co-ordination director, Neels Brink, said the master plan for the Sibaya precinct recognised its pristine ecological attributes — including indigenous forests, a river flood plain and a rich mix of flora and fauna — and allowed for only 15% development coverage.

In driving the tourism demand ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the initiative would bring on stream five new international-standard boutique hotels, and the Sibaya casino would be extended.

The development would create 66000 new jobs, including 10000 permanent positions. Moreland has undertaken to ensure the maximum use of existing infrastructure.

Brink said "substantive new opportunities" would unfold for black economic empowerment initiatives and the small, medium and microenterprise sector, while another R50m was projected in new municipal rates revenue.

The KwaZulu-Natal trade and catering sector would gain R1,4bn in provincial gross geographic product.

In return, the public sector would facilitate the formal environmental impact assessment study approval and provide the required bulk infrastructure including water, electricity and sewerage.

"This will leverage the massive new private-sector investment, creating a node that will stimulate global investor interest and promote eThekwini as one of Africa’s leading investment destinations.

"Sibaya is unquestionably a catalytic project and an ideal example of public-private partnership as envisaged by the premier Sbu Ndebele and the provincial government," Brink said.