Bureaucracy slows development in 'Toti

The Amanzimtoti area on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal has for a long time been the holiday destination of choice for many and the area, like many others along the south coast, has experienced a spate of developments intended to provide more holiday accommodation.

These have not, however, been without problems. For example, Kingsburgh Ext 7, a freehold township development first approved in the 1970's is only now being developed, thanks to unexpected environmental restraints.

Eric Morkot of leading local estate agency Nationlink Amanzimtoti, says that when the current developers launched the stands in mid-2004 it came as an astonishing surprise to find that of the 82 stands, only 16 were actually approved for development as the remainder had environmental restraints placed on them by the Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (DMOSS).

"The developers had planned to sell freehold homes in the R400 000 to R500 000 price range, however due to the delays in sorting out the environmental problems, the prices have risen to between R600 000 and R700 000 a unit," notes Morkot, who goes on to say that at this point in time, only 25 stands have been sold and have homes being built on them.

The balance are still under DMOSS or environmental constraint, requiring a full environmental impact assessment. "And further frustrations have been forthcoming as the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA), which is supposedly understaffed, lacks the resources to handle all the environmental applications. The whole matter is at a point of impasse which will undoubtedly cause further increases in the eventual product to the consumer," says Morkot.

Another development in the Amanzimtoti area known as Saltwood Mews, a 21 unit sectional title development, has however now received approval, after a delay of more than a year by the environmental branch of the Town Planning Department - despite the fact that it is not even situated in an environmentally sensitive area or covered by DMOSS.

The residential developments taking place in Amanzimtoti are a positive factor for the area because they not only create new homes and attract investors, but they also create job opportunities and generate additional income for the local authorities.

Morkot says that there has been a great demand from purchasers wishing to purchase in new developments and where the prices have been right, the units have been sold quickly.

"But at local government level the attitude has been decidedly disappointing, showing very little interest in the developments. There has been a general lack of willingness from the government officials to go out their way to assist the developer and they have offered very little help in trying to solve some of the problems."