The Environmental Affairs Department has given the eThekwini municipality the green light to proceed with the final phase of upgrading Durban's Golden Mile, which involves improvements from Country Club Beach to Blue Lagoon.
The extension of the promenade between the two beaches alone was likely to cost about R90 million, taking the overall cost of the development to nearly R300m, Mike Andrews, deputy head of the city's strategic projects unit, told The Mercury yesterday.
He said it would take a year to complete the project.
The key factor the department took into consideration was the motivation that the city needed to improve the beachfront to maintain Durban's competitive advantage in the tourism arena.
About R75m was spent on lengthening and widening the promenade, allowing for ease of movement, in the first phase of the revamp.
The refurbishment included a 5km promenade stretching from ushaka Beach to Country Club Beach (opposite the Durban Country Club). Also incorporated was a link from Country Club Beach to Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Phase two would include the extension and widening of the promenade from Country Club Beach to the Blue Lagoon Beach node.
The city would also consider establishing a restaurant in the Blue Lagoon Beach area.
Changes would include moving the swimming pools from Laguna Beach to Blue Lagoon Beach, widening the promenade, building retail kiosks, improving lighting and adding parking lots.
The project would also incorporate rehabilitation of the dunes.
Interested or affected parties should register their intention to appeal against the department's decision by November 26.
The grounds for the appeal should be submitted 20 days thereafter.
