MEDIA COVERAGE

ROD approval for Cornubia PHASE 1

ROD approval for Cornubia PHASE 1 of the long-awaited Cornubia project has been approved
The development is a catalytic intervention being undertaken jointly by eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett, that will see a 1 200ha greenfields site developed into one of the first fully integrated human settlements that will help meet a number of governments key priorities, has been approved.
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, and Rural Development (DAEARD) issued the ROD (record of decision) on the 7 November, which gives the project full environmental approval.
The project was also approved at eThekwinis Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) on the 15 November, with EXCO approval expected on the 7 December according to development executive Tongaat Hulett Development, Karen Petersen.
"These approvals are the result of a five-year planning process, in which the framework plan was reviewed and revised several times. A Business Plan for the project is in the final stages of approval and it is hoped that this too will be approved by EXCO before the end of the year," she said.
With the project having gained momentum over the last few months, Cornubia was also identified as one of three Cabinet Lekgotla priority projects1 in the country, at its mid-year Legkotla, the only one in KwaZulu-Natal.
"As the largest mixed-use, mixed-income development in eThekwini, the project promises to deliver 24 000 residential units, of which 15 000 will be fully subsidised," Petersen said.
Construction has already started on the access road to the citys pilot project and the platforms for the first 500 units are being prepared. It is anticipated that four houses will be fully complete before the end of the year.
Petersen said with the huge shortage of, and significant demand for well-located industrial land in eThekwini, Tongaat Hulett is excited about releasing 70ha of industrial platform on to the market in 2012.
"The Cornubia Industrial and Business Estate (CIBE) will provide close to 50 000 short-term construction jobs over the period, and 3 500 permanent (direct and new) jobs, as well as generate R94 million per annum in rates revenue to eThekwini once complete."
Plans are also in place to obtain development rights for portions of Phase 2 due to the significant interest from major retailers for a sub-regional retail destination park, off the M41. It is expected that this retail park will open in 2014.

Date Added: 05 Dec 2011 | Author: : Looklocal.co.za - Looklocal - 29 Nov 2011