March 2009

Update from Sibaya

by Sarah Alsen

Sibaya is an area north of Durban, in the province of KwaZulu Natal on the east coast of South Africa. The 885 hectare site is owned by one of the largest developers in South Africa, Tongaat Hulett Developments (THDev, previously Moreland Developments).

Mbongi Dhlomo, Development Executive at THDev says, "While the global green building trend may be in its infancy in SA, Tongaat Hulett aims to be one of the leading developers creating truly sustainable developments on the north coast of KZN. Tongaat Hulett's R13.7bn mixed-use residential, leisure and commercial property development at Sibaya near Umdloti Beach will be built using the internationally recognized One Planet Living principles, as we see them to be a most holistic approach to sustainable development while highlighting that sustainability is as much about lifestyles as it is about building. We are confident that we will achieve the desired "sustainable" results."

Sarah Alsen is Director of BioRegional South Africa and updates us on progress at Sibaya:

"We are awaiting the Record of Decision from the Environmental Impact Assessment process for Sibaya Nodes 1 and 5. We are expecting approval from the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs by the end of February 2009. Subject to this decision, the re-zoning and subdivision process will be finalized and permission to sell is expected within three months.

The plan is to sell mixed use sites in node 1 this year. The infrastructure and service provision by THDev will open up 23 mixed use sites on 7.5 hectares of land by 2012, or a total mixed use area of 56,000m2 residential space and 14,200m2 commercial space. In 2009 specifically, the development of 5 mixed use sites will allow the required sales amounts for the period, equivalent to 2.1 hectares (sites and roads), approximately 42 residential apartments or 12,400m2 residential space and 2,200m2 commercial space.

The original SAP written for Sibaya is being updated to form the overarching OPL strategy for the entire 850 hectare site of 6000 residential units, 6 hotels and commercial space by 2027. A shorter specification document for node 1 in particular, on each principle, is being drawn up by consultants to attach to individual sales agreements and design codes for each top structure developer, so as to be clear on the specified requirements for One Planet Living for this first phase. Both documents will be released in March / April.

In view of the current global housing sales slow-down, the development specification of Node 5 (pictured above) is being re-examined with potential emphasis more on resort use. Interested developer partners are invited to make contact!"

In the last month, BioRegional South Africa has now been set up as an independent Trust. Sarah Alsen can be contacted at sarah.alsen@bioregional.com.