It will be at least five years before Transnet starts moving the “unsavoury” manganese dump from the Port Elizabeth harbour to the Port of Ngqura to make way for the ambitious waterfront development.
The relocation of the tank farm is, however, scheduled to start in the 2020/2021 financial year.
Transnet port engineer Theo Sethosa revealed on Tuesday that the delays in getting the long-mooted waterfront development off the ground were a result of the change in Transnet’s executive management in November 2018, among other things.
The new timeframes left councillors in the economic development committee concerned, and asking whether the long-awaited waterfront, which is expected to change the Bay’s tourism landscape, would ever come to fruition.
Sethosa said the intention was to approve and advertise a request for proposals by June 2019, close the bid by December, evaluate the tender in December 2020 and approve the preferred bid in June 2021.
In 2016, Transnet committed to moving the tank farm in 2019 and the manganese dumps in 2020.
At the time, port manager Rajesh Dana was unveiling the plans for the ambitious project to politicians.
Sethosa, who was presenting the progress on the waterfront development to the committee this week, said as far as Transnet was concerned, the project had already begun with its relaxing of security at the harbour and the housing of two restaurants.
Sethosa said other changes to the development plan were the idea of a “people-centric port” and the intention to move the entrance towards Walmer Boulevard to make it more convenient for visitors.
The port would still operate as a service-driven harbour, but with added arts and recreational landmarks and attractions.
Transnet’s vision for the Port Elizabeth marina is a vibrant, busy port that attracts domestic and international tourists.
“The project has captured the attention of the business community and residents in the metro,” Sethosa said.
He said Transnet intended to appoint a long-term developer in March 2022.
Sethosa said it was reluctant to start the development on a large scale when a market analysis had found that the Bay would not be able to afford it.
This was the thinking behind starting phase two of the project only in 2028.
“We want to develop the waterfront by starting small.
“We have about 36,000m² and that’s what the market says. So it will be full. Empty shops have a tendency to drive people away.”
Economic development, tourism and agriculture political head Queenie Pink said: “I was concerned with the timeframes, but such is expected with changes and there is nothing we can do about that.
“But do we still have the commitment of Transnet?
“As a city we need to engage the new CEO and speak to him about these timelines.”
Sethosa said: “Nothing has changed, it’s just that this is a big project, it’s big numbers.
“The commitment is still right there and there are meetings going ahead to resolve some of these issues that were highlighted.
“We will do everything in our power to stay within these timelines.”
ANC councillor Luyolo Nombola said: “We support this as it will bring life and much-needed jobs to the metro, but it must give opportunities to small business when it is in full swing.
“And the timeframes are also worrying me but they are understandable,” Nombola said.