New Scottburgh beachfront planned

If all goes according to plan, the proposed upgrading of the Scottburgh-Park Rynie beachfront area on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast will precipitate a wave of new residential and commercial development that will have far-reaching implications for the town's future economy.

According to Lihle Ndulini, development manager for the Umdoni Municipality and project manager for this undertaking, the municipality has appointed Realityworks to prepare a framework plan that includes a prime area of the coastline. This plan will set out developmental proposals, which will include council land, private land and state-owned land. The municipality will also invite developers to submit proposals.

On approval of the precinct plan, the envisaged developments will not only enhance the Scottburgh-Park-Rynie beachfront but also stimulate economic development in the area, says Ndulini. "The upgrade is expected to attract investors and tourists which will benefit both residents and the council by increasing the area's rates base without putting too much strain on its infrastructure."

Bryan Anslow, principal of Acutts Estate Agents in Scottburgh sees this as one of the most exciting projects ever to be undertaken in the small coastal town, which is feeling the effect of recent and expected interest rate hikes. "With the spectre of additional interest rate hikes hanging over the heads of bond holders, property sales have slowed slightly," he says. He believes, however, that once the Scottburgh-Park Rynie beachfront upgrade project gets underway, the residential and commercial property sector along the upper south coast will take off. "Property on the north coast is very expensive and that area is also reaching saturation. The middle class from Gauteng can't afford north coast prices, so this area is likely to attract increasing numbers of out-of-town buyers who want holiday homes that they can rent out when they are not using them."

Anticipating a knock-on effect of the upgrade on local communities between Umkomaas and Bazley, Anslow says the cleaning up and improved maintenance of public toilets and change rooms, as well as a general clean-up of the beachfront, will go a long way towards making this stretch of the KwaZulu-Natal south coast more attractive to holiday makers and tourists.

Jeremy Thorpe of Realtyworks, the development company appointed to develop a plan for the proposed upgrades, expects the project to finally and unequivocally put Scottburgh on the map as one of the country's most sought-after residential and commercial nodes. "Scottburgh will become to the south coast what Umhlanga has become to the north coast," he says. He adds: "One example of the kind of development envisaged is a series of condominium-style complexes that will stretch virtually from the beach back over the railway line and link up with the existing town with none of the existing sea views being impeded."

"However, there is much work still to be done before the precinct plan is finally approved as only the Phase 1 proposals have been presented to Council and several phases remain before the final plan would be ready."

"The Council is planning for the short, medium and long term and is not interested in quick fixes, so consideration has to be given to all available resources and inputs," says Thorpe. – Ingrid Smit

Readers' Comments
What about flooding the media and getting one of those glossy property books (the ones that get delivered free once every three months or so) to do an article on the above as well as the residential development of the area e.g. not so sleepy Pennington with the new Penvally and some of the 'millionaire's row' houses dotted here and there, the various sectional title developments, and Elysium also expanding.

No time like the present as it will pique the interest of the Gauteng Dec holiday horde, who may take a trip to see what is happening. This may also bolster the market - those wanting to get in on the ground floor. After this, there will have to be continual marketing of the area until everyone wants to go there. I commend the genii who thought of this plan - all it needs is to be seen through to completion without any adverse publicity eg corruption etc. There is a need for such a holiday resort that will be affordable.

Meryl Sharpe, Gauteng and a lover of Pennington since 1973.

I was reading your article "New Scottburgh beachfront planned - 2006/10/17" and was wondering if any thought has been given to the most obvious problem/obstacle the South Coast faces and that is the railway line running along one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in South Africa.

It's easy enough to make statements like "Scottburgh will become to the south coast what Umhlanga has become to the north coast," but I for one can't see that happening when there's a railway line blocking access to all the fantastic beaches on the South Coast.

I would be forever grateful if you could enlighten me as to the plans regarding this issue. - Gareth Williams.

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