Support for Virginia plans

THE Virginia Airport site development – after a city bid adjudication committee meeting yesterday – appears to be one step closer to getting the green light.

The development, which would change the landscape north of the city, was proposed to the city through an unsolicited bid made by SeaWorld Investment Holdings last year.

The R6 billion development would include upmarket flats, a hotel, restaurants and other amenities.

According to the proposal by SeaWorld, the city would retain ownership of the land, and would only provide expertise in the implementation of bulk infrastructure and services.

The plan has been met with fierce resistance by Virginia Airport operators and residents, especially after it was suggested that the businesses would be moved to an alternative site in Scottburgh or be based at King Shaka International Airport.

Yesterday, while Economic Development and Planning Cluster manager Mimi Ndokweni explained that the process had to follow myriad steps before a decision was made, other city officials said the development would be very positive for the city.

Head of the Development Planning, Environment and Management Unit, Musa Mbhele, told The Mercury that the national government wanted municipalities to drive growth in their cities.

“According to Treasury, cities are the engines and drivers of economic growth, so we need to make sure we consider opportunities like this one.”

He said that the area employs around 300 people, but the project, if implemented, would create tens of thousands of jobs.

“We need to think of how this would benefit many more people, instead of the few.”

Another city official, who cannot be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media, said the development would provide a much-needed boost to Durban’s economy.

“Getting an offer like this one does not come every day. There is almost no cost to the city, but it stands to reap the most in financial benefits.”

Ndokweni, in her presentation before the committee, gave two recommendations on behalf of the Economic Development and Planning Cluster, that SeaWorld, in keeping with its proposal, must build a replacement airport site in the next 12 months, and that they must provide proof of funding for the project from a reputable financial institution.

The committee decided that it needed to wait for input from the National Treasury before presenting the findings to the city manager.

She also said yesterday that SeaWorld had responded to all submissions made in the public participation process last year.

There was a spectrum of comments, she said, with some rejecting the development outright, but not providing any reasons for doing so.

Clarity

“It could be a case of ‘not in my backyard’ syndrome. Others were open to it but wanted more clarity on how they would be affected.”

Daryl Mann, who represents the Virginia operators, left the meeting before it began because he said the 30-minute delay to the start of the meeting was “disrespectful” to him.

Others also walked out despite city officials apologising for the delay.

The Virginia Airport operators were offered a three-year lease last year with the option of it ending earlier depending on the completion of the relocation programme, but the operators did not take up this offer.

However, the city has allowed them to continue to operate pending the decision on the development.

Approached for comment yesterday, Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala told The Mercury that it was important to act transparently, as the municipality had done so far.

“It’s also important to take the views of those who are against the development seriously, as they have been doing. At the moment, it is a metro matter, so I can’t say more than that. We will provide the necessary guidance once the process if completed.”

The bid adjudication committee will meet again on this issue in the new year.