Sibaya development fears allayed

The announcement of the Sibaya Coastal Precinct development raised many an eyebrow in the Umdloti community, which Tongaat Hulett Developments aimed to lower with their recent communication sessions.

The work, life, play lifestyle development is situated between the natural boundaries of the Ohlanga and Umdloti river estuaries, with Umdloti bordering on the eastern boundary of Nodes One and Five.

With Node One on the brink of construction, the communication sessions aim to bring clarity about the development.

Sibaya’s development executive, Sithembiso Mthembu headed up the meetings and said key residents and business owners in Umdloti have been included in the planning processes right from inception in 2004.

“The sessions have been an important opportunity for us to listen to the voices within this close-knit community, in an effort to understand and respond to their hopes, fears and concerns, where it is within our power and scope to do so,” said Mthembu.

“We believe the community engagement created more clarity on the scope, scale and timelines of the development, and reassured Umdloti that not only are we open to collaborate with them to preserve and uplift the village, but are prepared to lobby with the necessary authorities together with the UIP, to obtain positive, sustainable and meaningful change.”

Manager of the Umdloti Urban Improvement Project (UIP), Terry-Ann Rens said one of the main concerns was how the infrastructure will cope.

“The impact on our already pressurised water, sanitation and electrical infrastructure is a high priority concern. Security during the development stages and the ability to cope with increased traffic congestion, in and around Umdloti, as well as on the M4 and M27 also came up consistently,” said Rens.

Mthembu reassured the residents that their safety is a priority.

“A temporary fence will be erected along the border of eMdloti and Node One, prior to the commencement of development, which will be be monitored and security patrolled.”

Mthembu outlined detailed plans that have been developed to address the infrastructure issues and assured residents that Tongaat Hulett Developments will maintain communication around these and other pressing issues.

Bearing in mind that Sibaya could take beyond 20 years to reach completion, Rens said it is in the interest of the greater Umdloti community to embrace the change that will come with Sibaya.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to define ourselves within the broader scope of a world class development, and embrace the wonderful opportunity that comes with progress,” she said.

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