MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Information sessions on the proposed Louis Fourie Corridor Project drew intense scrutiny and a number of probing questions from the public this week.

This development in Mossel Bay is planned for south of Louis Fourie Road, in the area between Flora Road in Dana Bay and Essenhout Street in Heiderand.

It will include four schools, sport fields, about 7 400 housing opportunities (from low to high income), business opportunities, medical facilities, municipal buildings, open spaces and more.

Questions about the development included: whether there will be sufficient infrastructure for the development, who will get the opportunity to live there, how it will be structured, will it be safe, how will it affect property value in surrounding areas, and more.

As part of the public participation process the municipality hosted four information sessions about the development this week in Dana Bay, Asla, KwaNonqaba and Mossel Bay central.

Mossel Bay Advertiser attended the meeting held in the Asla Park Community Hall on Tuesday evening. Part of the discussions included advantages and disadvantages of developing the area.

Public participation for the development will end on 27 May. 

The entire area will not be developed, as some parts are listed conservation areas. The area is a mix of Mossel Bay Municipality- and privately-owned property, but the development will be on municipal land.

Infrastructure (water and sewerage, roads and so forth) will be developed to accommodate the project.

The different communities the municipality addressed this week had varying questions about the development.

Ward 2 councillor Mzwandile Mkonto and the manager of municipal Town Planning, Jaco Roux, at the meeting in Asla Park. Photo: Linzetta Calitz

Speakers from the municipality and the consultancy, NCC Environmental Services, said that studies were done to assess the different options for developing the area and these studies found that an integrated approach (one that includes various types of housing and businesses and more) was the only way to go.

Not developing the land at all, they said, was not a viable option. The reasons for this include the threat of informal occupation, not creating employment, and not being able to supply for the housing demand.

The project is still in its early stages and it will take between 10 and 20 years to be implemented. Currently, the municipality is undertaking applications relating to the impact on the environment, the planning, heritage matters, water and flora.

Members of the public can view documents on the project at Mossel Bay Library, the Thusong Centre, D'Almeida Library or at Town Planning at the main municipal building, or on the NCC Group website.

For any information on environmental authorisation, call 021 702 2884 or email ppp@ncc-group.co.za.

Questions or input about the land use application can be sent to admin@mosselbay.gov.za or call 044 606 5012. 

See the proposed zoning plan and land use information below:

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’