June 18, 2004

By Lyse Comins & Farook Khan

A controversy has erupted over the proposed small-craft harbour at Durban's Point Waterfront with environmentalists labelling the development a "playground for the rich", being built for the sole purpose of inflating property values in the area.

However, the city has responded that the developments are not reserved for the wealthy but are aimed at regenerating the area into a world-class attraction, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

Dozens of objections have been raised by affected parties such as environmentalists and regular users of Vetch's beach (which will disappear under water if the harbour is built) including yachties, boaters, snorkellers, divers, anglers and paddleskiers. This follows the submission of the Draft Environment Scoping Report for the Small Craft Harbour for public review. The deadline for public comment is June 30.

Concerned parties who attended a meeting last night where the report was tabled rejected the option (one of seven) favoured by the developers.

Instead, they called for an option that would enable the public to continue to use Vetch's Pier. They favoured an option that would see the small-craft harbour built within the port itself.

According to the report, the project could cause property values to rise by R200 million, translating into increased rates revenues for the city. About

1 000 retail jobs and 5 000 construction jobs would be created. Significant private sector and direct foreign investment opportunities would also be created.

Objectors referred to Vetch's beach as part of Durban's heritage and the best beach on the Golden Mile.

They expressed fears that it would be "privatised" or "destroyed" by the development - displacing regular users, mostly ratepayers - to provide a playground for the rich.

However, eThekwini Municipal Manager Mike Sutcliffe said in an interview that fears of any beach being privatised were unfounded.

"I can give my assurance as city manager that there has never been any talk of privatising beaches and would be amazed if that ever happened anywhere in the country," he said.

The development was part of the "regeneration" of the beachfront into a world-class attraction and the city was not creating exclusive niches for the rich.

The proposal would provide berths for craft to have direct access to the sea.

It would offer protected moorage to 275 keel boats and powerboats. There would be promenades, ramps, jetties, a boat lock to the Point canals, lighthouses and residential and hotel developments.

The report also states that Vetch's Pier is the only area south of St Lucia with an unexploited stock of mussels fit for human consumption. It serves as a nursery for diverse species of juvenile fish.

There are 64 shipwrecks, many unexplored, containing valuable artefacts off the harbour mouth and in the Vetch's and Limestone reef vicinity.

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa objected unreservedly to the proposal. Spokeswoman Di Dold said apart from pollution and potential damage by boats to the natural limestone reef and Vetch's, there was concern about the sustainability of the harbour and that a large portion of recreational beach frontage was being lost.

"There is no need for a small- craft harbour here at all. This is a "nice-to-have", not a "must- have", and is being built solely to inflate the adjoining property values. KZN has a high energy coastline . . . and for the comfort and safety of boats and crew it is better that small craft are kept within existing yacht facilities," Dold said.

Point Watersports, representing the Durban Undersea Club, Durban Paddle-ski Club, Durban Skiboat Club and Point Yacht Club, lodged concerns over recreational access.

"We . . . want to know where we are going to be as city ratepayers when the small-craft harbour is built," said spokesman Eddie Lahee.

Lahee said a plot much smaller than the one now occupied had been allocated.

However, there was a price tag.

Sutcliffe said a "top priority" meeting with Point Watersports was imminent but declined to say whether they would have to pay for a property.

The development of the small-craft harbour includes:

• Development of flats with a maximum height of four storeys framing the harbour along a new north breakwater;
• Ground-floor retail along a prime promenade extending the Golden Mile;
• Mooring for about 300 boats off new jetties within the harbour;
• The connection of the small-craft harbour to the inland canal system via a dedicated lock system;
• Provision for boat launching;
• Provision for clubhouse facilities;
• Provision for a sheltered beach, sheltered swimming and snorkelling activities;
• Hotel development up to a potential 12-storey height north of the proposed boat lock and including all servicing requirements.