The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality has placed the North End coastal development project at the top of its priority ratings as recent research has shown that the area‘s coastline is worth a minimum of R5,25-billion a year.

This estimation is according to economic impact studies on the coastline if fully developed.

One was conducted this year by SRK Engineers and another in 2005 by Garnett-Adams Management Consulting. The study takes into account the value of the land and the proposed developments.

The project entails the reclamation of land from the sea by dredging, which would then be made available for development. The area is about 200m wide and 7km long to the north of the harbour next to North End and Deal Party.

The municipality wants the coastline developed as it will dovetail with the 2010 World Cup stadium precinct, providing the opportunity to make the North End area a vibrant precinct.

It will also link with the Red Location Museum precinct, the inner city development, Port of Ngqura and other developments in the area.

“The municipality identified the North End coastal development project as a major strategic programme which would serve as a catalyst to maximise the economic and social potential of the area,” municipal spokesman Roland Williams said.

“This in turn would contribute to the regeneration and urban renewal of the inner city and the degraded North End coastline.”

The implementation date has not been set as there are preliminaries to be dealt with.

Williams said that with the construction of the harbour breakwater quays in 1928, the nourishing supply of sand to this northern section of Port Elizabeth‘s coastline had been cut off. This had resulted in the buildup of sand to the south of the harbour at Kings Beach and the erosion of the North End and Deal Party section of the coastline.

“Based on a conservative analysis, the coastal zone of Nelson Mandela Bay is worth a minimum of R5,25-billion a year.” This was according to studies conducted this year by SRK Engineers and Garnett-Adams Management Consulting in 2005.

Williams said the maintenance of the Bay‘s coastal eco-systems, amenities and aesthetic assets was therefore of critical importance to the economic and social development and sustainability of the region, its stakeholders and residents.

The plan is to develop the area for leisure, entertainment, sport and retail.

The Port Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci) said it was in full support of the project.

Percci chief executive officer Odwa Mtati said yesterday the chamber supported projects which added economic value to the region.