A multi-billion rand coastal development which will unlock economic opportunities for Port Elizabeth's former disadvantaged communities by reclaiming of 2,65 kilometres of coastal land and making available 78,4 hectares of land for development, is on the cards.

The project, called the North End Coastal Development, is a joint venture between the municipality and Transnet, and will unlock vast tracts of land adjacent to North End and Deal Party.

The project will be tackled in five phases, with the first phase costing about R400 million.

The entire project, from the harbour to the Swartkops River, is estimated to cost billions of rands.

Rory Riordan, former PE councillor and now independent financial consultant, who is also involved in the project, said the first phase would be from the harbour to the Papenkuils estuary.

A project overview report by Donald McGillivray of Afri-Coast says Port Elizabeth's prime residential, recreational and tourist beachfront area comprises a stretch of approximately three kilometres between Kings Beach and Pollock Beach in Summerstrand.

This small area, says McGillivray, is however geographically remote from the majority of the 1,3 million residents.

"In contrast, a more centrally located 7km stretch of coastline to the north of the harbour, adjacent to North End and Deal Party, has been allowed to become environmentally degraded with rubble and dolosse lining the coast and electrified railway lines restricting access to this coastal asset,?" says McGillivray.

McGillivray says, historically, Port Elizabeth's prime sandy recreational beach stretched from the Baakens River to the Swartkops River mouth.

With the construction of the harbour breakwater in 1928, the supply of sand to this coastline was cut off.

Sand is now being deposited in the harbour approach channels and maintenance dredging to keep them clear costs the National Ports Authority about R8 million per year.

McGillivray said the gateway entrance into Port Elizabeth was situated along this coastal wasteland which created a poor visual impression of NMB.

?The potential now exists to reinstate this environmentally degraded section of the coastline to a world-class sustainable coastal waterfront development.?

Some of the opportunities are that the 2010 World Cup Stadium is located within 800-metres of the proposed development.

Also a pedestrian, commuter and recreational cycleway along the coast will link the inner city redevelopment, the 2010 soccer stadium precinct in the centre, and the Red Location cultural precinct in New Brighton to the north.

Improved access to the coastline would result in employment and socio-economic opportunities for the adjacent residential areas of New Brighton and Ibhayi.

The project is a win-win for the municipality and Transnet, says McGillivray.

Benefits for the municipality include improved coastal amenities and the add-on value to the 2010 World Cup, as well as increased investor confidence.

The municipality will benefit during construction as jobs will be created, resulting in increased rates and taxes, among many other advantages .

"The future Transnet and Port Elizabeth harbour expansion and North End coastal development projects will complement each other, and result in numerous synergies and benefit Transnet and the municipality as has occurred.for example, with the Cape Town waterfront development and Durban's Point development."

Eastern Province Herald