ALEXPRESS Spreading Xela-Spirit Since 1967 NEBD- Your Future
What is the North End Beach Development?
This concept was put forward to the municipality some time ago, but nothing has actually been done about it. So Alexander Road High hosted a symposium in the Percy Walker Hall to publicize this project.
The North End Coastline is mainly dominated by dollosse, railway lines and a freeway. The proponents of this project are saying that the North End Beach can be urbanized, but what most people don’t know is that that area was once a beach and Hobie Beach was then just a rocky shore. Hobie Beach has a huge tourism clientele today, which has made the property very valuable. It is believed that this can also be done at North End Beach. What or who would fund something of this magnitude? Possibly the Government, you say? Wrong. This initiative is not a municipal initiative, but is supported by private investors (e.g. from Cape Town). At the symposium there were a number of speakers, namely Charlton Tobias, the radio presenter from Algoa FM, who hosted the event; Mr Ndaba, an expert on socio-economics; Mr Miles, the tourism guide for the afternoon, followed by Mr Derek Zimmerworth, who talked about the development of the area surrounding it, basically the logistics of the project.. A representative was also sent from the Mayor’s office A number of schools, namely Pearson, Westering, Collegiate, Cillé and of course, Alex were represented. The students were given time to ask questions.
This is what Mr Ndaba had to say about the NEBD Project: “The legacy of the Apartheid city is found amongst our different race groups. You will find that there are poor people who live very far from this area. If large communities are found there that would be a good thing because people would become an integrated society. We also cannot look at the commercial aspects, but rather at socioeconomic aspects. Government would have to play a huge role first of all because of all the legalities, as well as authorisation papers and to make sure that no human rights were or are violated.” He also said that the people of P.E would benefit immensely because this would provide a lifetime of employment to the locals.
Mr Miles, the tourism expert, said this would generate huge amounts for the tourism industry. We are one of the 5 Biome cities because of our rich abundance in marine bio-diversity. He said that 98% of America’s tourism comes from their coastlines. This would then mean that we have to make sure that no pollution takes place otherwise it will be a problem. Another problem would be space; this would entail a specific industry. So, the project would have to be well monitored, because shipping could affect the whales and their movement. A concern that he raised was how this would affect education. This project will need a lot of educators who are clued up about this development.
Derek Zimmerworth said that this project could help with the urban rejuvenation of the surrounding cities. He said that most of the surrounding towns are effectively ghost towns and now through this, that could be changed. He was asked a question regarding the actual amount of money this would cost. The
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