More than 30 plots across Newcastle to go under the hammer

PROPERTY developers and private buyers will soon be able to choose from a selection of more than 30 vacant stands across the city of Newcastle, the industrial and commercial powerhouse of KwaZulu-Natal. They are to be auctioned by GoIndustry DoveBid South Africa on behalf of the country’s largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa).

Kim Faclier, director of GoIndustry DoveBid Property, says the properties, which have huge potential, are competitively priced at below-average market values. She believes this will attract both first-time buyers who want to design and build their own homes at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains, and large developers who have plans to develop the area extensively.

The stands are in Amajuba Park, Ncandu Park, Schuinshoogte, Sunset View, Newcastle Industria, Sunnyridge and Signal Hill, and total more than 100 hectares.

Faclier says: “Newcastle has the famous Battlefields Route – the biggest concentration of significant battle and historical war-related sites in South Africa – and Blackrock Casino. It also has the award-winning Newcastle Mall. game farms and dams.”

Donovan Dalton, GoDove’s head of valuations, says Newcastle has a strong economy and is known for its steel manufacturing industry, dominated by Amsa.

“Newcastle is benefiting from big steps Amsa has taken this year,” Dalton says. “More than 50 permanent new jobs have been created, with more on the way, through Amsa’s road-to-rail project. This has further improved Newcastle’s carbon footprint and reduced traffic congestion, as the bulk of domestic steel is being distributed via the rail routes.”

Dalton says Newcastle’s economic growth will benefit from the success of Amsa’s two-year lobbying effort that followed the 2015 South African steel crisis.

“When global steel demands decreased, cheaper imports flooded the local market,” he says. “This year the national Treasury directed that locally made steel products are to be used in public sector construction projects. This is set to rejuvenate the steel industry and thus Newcastle and surrounds.”

The auction will be held at the Blackrock Casino at noon on September 19.

For more details contact Kim Faclier at Kim.Faclier@liquidityservices.com, or see www.go-dove.co.za/newcastle/