TONGAAT HULETT Page 15
Generally speaking , infrastructure that is revenue-generating for the service provider , such as electricity , water and sewerage , can be funded reasonably easily . A bigger challenge is road infrastructure , which is very costly and does not generate pay-for-use revenue for the government directly .
Developers have had a similar experience , but are learning to overcome these hurdles through closer collaboration with the government .
“ From a developer ’ s perspective , it ’ s important to bring government departments along on the journey from the very beginning . Once they understand the vision for the project and are invested in it , the approval process becomes easier to facilitate ,” says Rory Wilkinson , planning director for Tongaat Hulett Developments .
To date there has been considerable progress on several major infrastructural initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal . Construction of the GoDurban integrated rapid public transport network is well under way , while the upgrading of the N2 highway between King Shaka International Airport and Sibaya Coastal Precinct has been completed . Water supply has undergone extensive upgrades , with the construction of new aqueducts to serve Durban ’ s northern areas , a reservoir for the uMhlanga region and increased sewer treatment capacity , which is due for completion at the end of 2016 .
THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Tongaat Hulett ’ s integrated approach to land conversion for value creation involves a multifaceted process which always begins with a thorough assessment of each piece of developable land to determine its broader context . The preparation of shovel-ready land – so that it is ready for sale to developers – ultimately requires the ongoing commitment and engagement of multiple stakeholders , which include local and provincial government authorities as well as surrounding communities .
Near to a major city such as Durban , land conversion that fully recognises the potential values and benefits provides immense opportunities for business and government to partner in serving the interests of the communities and bringing sustainable socioeconomic upliftment to the region .
“ We are constantly pushing ourselves to develop new strategies for our business to better serve communities through job creation , infrastructure development and investment , social integration , municipal rates collections , and so on ,” says Peter Staude , CEO of Tongaat Hulett .
IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
“ With many of the strategic considerations in our business , there is an imperative responsibility to serve the public . This often requires us to come out of our silos and work together to find solutions to the socio-economic issues which so many people face ,” says Peter .
A recent example : Tongaat Hulett ’ s 1000-hectare Sibaya Coastal Precinct is a mixed-use development between uMhlanga and uMdloti that will create about 270 000 temporary construction jobs , while its combined facilities will conservatively employ a further 30 000 people permanently on completion . future built environments