SA Property – The major infrastructural developments that will shape the KZN property market
Finally KwaZulu Natal is been recognised as the investment destination for major local and international businesses, local and national government as well as Corporate South Africa. The Billions been spent and earmarked to be spent in this region is testament to the confidence in the region and the fundamentals behind making such investment decisions. Below are the major investment triggers that have been started, in process or completed that will pave the way for sustained economic growth in the region.
Durban Harbour expansion
Durban is the busiest container port in Africa. Freight logistics Government Parastatal Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) reports that the primary aim of the port expansion project is to improve the safety of navigation of vessels entering or leaving the port. The project will also allow larger post-Panamax vessels to enter the harbour. The new harbour entrance was designed with a width of 220m at its narrowest point, while the approach channels will be dredged to a depth of 18m and 19m, and the entrance channel to a depth of 16m and 17m. Once the relevant berths in the harbour are deepened, the port of Durban will be able to host vessels of up to 45m in beam and capable of carrying 9,200 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers.
Richards Bay
Richards Bay is SA's premier bulk port and the most modern. Built in 1976 for the export of coal, it has since expanded into other bulk and break-bulk cargos. A dedicated railway line connects the port with Mpumalanga Province and Gauteng and was designed specifically to handle the majority of South Africa's coal exports. Other rail links connect Richards Bay with Durban in the south and Swaziland and Mpumalanga to the north. There is an adequate road system to Gauteng, Swaziland, Mozambique and Mpumalanga, and an excellent road south to Durban.
King Shaka International Airport
Also known as La Mercy Airport (after the area in which it is situated) and abbreviated as KSIA, will be the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa. Located at La Mercy, approximately 35 kilometers (22 minutes) north of the city centre, it is expected to open in May, 2010 (just over a month before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; replacing the existing Durban International Airport which will be decommissioned. The airport was designed by Osmond Lange Architects and Planners and will cost R6.8 billion.
The airport will form part of the Dube Tradeport, which will additionally consist of a trade zone (being linked to the airport's air freight component), facilities to support the airport such as nearby offices and transit accommodation for tourists, an integrated agricultural export zone and an IT platform.
Dube Tradeport
The Dube TradePort, Southern Africa’s Global Trade Gateway, is set to finally become a reality. The state-of-the-art development, to be operational by 2010, will comprise: a modern new international passenger and cargo airport facility; a trade zone; a support zone; an agri-zone; and a cyber port. The Dube TradePort will, in essence, serve as a catalyst for significant economic growth and development and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities.
Located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the strategically important east coast of South Africa and in close proximity to two of Africa’s busiest and biggest harbours – Durban and Richards Bay – the Dube TradePort is destined to become Southern Africa’s global trade gateway, through the region’s combined sea and air capabilities.
Together with its two harbours in Durban and Richards Bay and, now, the advent of a major trade port and sea-level-located international airport, KwaZulu-Natal will rapidly emerge as a major South African business hub and a hyper-critical launch pad for trade with the South African hinterland, sub-Saharan Africa and the world, inclusive of Indian Ocean Rim countries, the Far East, the Americas and South Africa’s European trading partners.
This article was compiled by:
Bradley Hancock and Yianni Pavlou – Founding members of PPI
Portfolio Property Investments (PPI) is a web based property investment company that specialises in the sales and lettings of residential, commercial and industrial property and offers its clients expert advice on property market trends. They also offer their expertise in land development, turn key leases and in putting together offshore property investment packages on behalf of their client database. It is also possible to subscribe to their monthly newsletter that is aimed at keeping their clients up to date and ahead of any developments in the global property markets. You will also find that they offer a number of useful property investment tools as well as an email notification system that one can register for and be the first to receive the latest property investment opportunities as and when they get listed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact: Bradley Hancock
Email: [email protected]
Tel: ++27 72 019 6192
and/or
Contact: Yianni Pavlou
Email: [email protected]
Tel: ++27 82 494 4555
Disclaimer:
The information in this publication is derived from sources which are regarded as accurate and reliable, is of a general nature only, does not constitute advice and may not be applicable to all circumstances. Detailed advice should be obtained in individual cases. No responsibility for any error, omission or loss sustained by any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of this publication is accepted by Portfolio Property Investments and /or the authors of the material.
