Make or break for Scottburgh

UMDONI is unveiling its grand plan for the beachfront and, based on public reaction, Scottburgh could just see its implementation sooner than later.

Umdoni – thanks to a R1m grant from Cogta (Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs) – commissioned the highly regarded Royal HaskoningDHV to draw up the Draft Development Concept. They go public with it tonight (Wednesday) at 5.30pm and the hall is expected to be packed.

The study area runs along the South bank of the Mpambanyoni River from the R102 all the way to the ocean.

It also includes the current beachfront pavilion and Scottburgh Caravan Park.

According to Royal HaskoningDHV, the presentation will be a broad overview of the vision for the upgrade of the area.

The meeting will help get public input before rolling out the final concept with urban sketches and the implementation framework.

Many feel the beachfront is long overdue for a face lift.

However, other long time residents and property owners are sceptical and fear that the plans will turn the town into a second Amanzimtoti.

Some have taken to social media platforms to rally the troops and show up in numbers at tonight’s meeting.

The proposed upgrade is expected to cost many millions with much of the funds hopefully coming from Province.

“My dream is for Scottburgh to revert back to a quaint, fun seaside destination, even for day-trippers from Durban and surrounds,” said one beachfront business owner.

“We are ideally situated on a good highway and railway line and even an airport. If we play our cards right, we can’t fail.”