The KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute has approved the demolition of several buildings in the Port of Durban, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) announced on Wednesday.
TNPA said the redevelopment of the Point Precinct in the Port of Durban in support of the KwaZulu-Natal Port Master Plan had gained “much-needed impetus” with the latest demolition approval. The demolition would make way for the expansion of the Point Automotive Terminal, which had exceeded its landside capacity, and the development of the Point Container Terminal, to position the port as a competitive container hub port, TNPA said.
“The Point Precinct redevelopment is in line with Transnet’s core mandate of managing the cost of doing business, enabling economic growth and security of supply through the provision of infrastructure that is fit for purpose as outlined in the National Ports Act (the Act),” TNPA said.
“The redevelopment of the precinct will require various buildings and structures to be demolished to create the proposed automotive terminal capacities. Several of the buildings and structures are over 60 years old and as prescribed by the National Heritage Resources Act and the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute (Amafa) Act, a demolition application, subject to a public process for comments, objections, and support, must be submitted.”
TNPA added that it had submitted a demolition application for the Ocean Terminal Building (OTB) complex in November 2022, which was followed by a public process to solicit comments from interested parties. Amafa hosted a public meeting on 21 February 2023 for respondents to table their objections and comments before the application was granted.
“Following Amafa’s decision to favourably consider TNPA’s application and grant permission for the demolition to take place, the port will commence with the plans set out for the demolition of the D/E, L, M, N Sheds, MHA Building, OTB, Durmarine Building, Schoeman's bridge, and spiral ramp. This will be preceded by an Environmental Impact Assessment process and conducted in a phased approach over a 12-month period. Demolition is expected to commence early in 2024,” TNPA said.
Durban Port Manager, Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana said the successful implementation of the Point Precinct’s redevelopment would have a significant socio-economic impact for the city and the country.
“We anticipate the creation of about 500 000 direct and indirect employment opportunities throughout the implementation of the Durban Port Masterplan developments, which will improve the lives and livelihoods of the economically disenfranchised. Based on six to eight members per family, the lives of three million people will be positively impacted,” Dweba-Kwetana said.
