New KZN industrial park attracts strong interest

A combine of UK and SA investors is busy developing the two-phase Imbonini industrial park in Ballito north of Durban – a 10-minute drive from the new King Shaka International Airport and its accompanying Dube TradePort development. According to SA investor Paul Izzard, partner in Index Property Services and Amber Dawn Developments, it’s an ideal location with proximity to the air, rail and road links between South Africa’s two busiest harbours, with frontage onto both the R102 and the N2 freeways. Phase 1 of the development was completed last July, and is 80% sold. Izzard and partner Ed Peen expect the balance to sell out this year. This initial phase consists of serviced industrial sites from 1 500 to 20 000-m2 in a fullyfenced park with 24-hour security and access control. The developers, Izzard added, are gearing up to start the civils on Phase 2 – with a total platform area of 450 000-m2, double the size of Phase 1. “We want to develop a sophisticated business park not only to protect investors’ interests but also to improve the look of what is basically an industrial precinct,” says Izzard. “Emphasis has also been placed on protecting the environment, with conservation areas in Phase 1 already rehabilitated during development to form natural green lungs that enhance the general aesthetic of the area and make it a great place to do business.”