WILD  COAST TOLL ROAD

A bid to build a National Toll Road  through the Pondoland Wildcoast  region  as well as proposals to mine titanium and other minerals along the coastal dunes by an Australian mining company has raised  a storm of controversy comparable to the row over the proposal to mine the dunes of Lake St Lucia some 13 years ago.

PROPOSED ROUTE OF TOLL ROAD

To see the map of the proposed toll road click here.

Moving north the proposed road follows the route of the present N2 from East London to Mthatha after which it follows the route of the existing R61 down past  Port St Johns to Lusikisiki. At this point  the existing R61 turns inland passing through flagstaff and Bizana before returning to the coast at Port Edward. The plan is for the toll-road to follow a more direct route between Lusikisiki and Port Edward (with two major suspension bridges across deep river gorges) and then follow the route of the R61 once again to Port Shepstone to join the Existing N2. This new section of the proposed road will pass through the area known as the Pondoland Centre of Endemism. This is the region long earmarked for a new national park and into which the European Union has poured millions of euros in a community eco-tourism development programme. The area is also rich in fossil deposits as well as ancient artifacts and art.

This proposed new route passes close to Xolobeni where mining is planned.

Those in favour of the road argue that the construction of the road will create employment and the road will open up the area to development including the mining which will create jobs and much needed financial upliftment of local communities.

Opposition to the proposed road has come from many parties for various reasons but at the forefront of the concerned parties are environmentalists both local and international, who worry about the effects of both road and mining upon important and unique ecosystems and river estuaries. Many believe that the best long term solution for all parties is in the development of eco-tourism projects in the region involving local communities.

To see information about groups involved (both in favour of and against the toll road proposal)  with links to their websites click here.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Conservationists point to the success of community based eco- tourism ventures in  Northern Zululand where the proposal to mine the dunes of Lake St Lucia was turned down 13 years ago in favour of the creation of South Africa’s first world heritage site and massive tourism infrastructure development and investment.

Although it is generally agreed that there is a need  for a decent national road and financial upliftment of the Wildcoast region what is at issue is the route of the proposed road, and its financial funding mechanisms.

Many believe that the upgrading of the present road systems would be in the best interests of all concerned and that further developments should avoid the sensitive wildlife areas.

MINING

Many feel that these plans proposed are  unnecessarily expensive and that the proposal is designed mainly to serve the interests of the miners.

People opposed to the proposals point out that  the route of the new road follows the coast  near to the site of the dune mining concessions at Xolobeni before turning inland. This they say suggests that the road is being proposed in order to make it possible for mining to go ahead because without a high speed road along which to haul the dune mining operation’s produce to port in the south, mining will not be financially viable.

COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT

Critics argue that as the proposed route’s coastal section avoids most of the existing towns, passing through relatively unpopulated countryside this is likely to have a devastating effect on many businesses etc  set up along the existing roads inland.

Critics also contend that as a job creation and skills transfer mechanism, the freeway construction cannot be labour intensive, whereas upgrading the dangerous regional roads can employ community labour both for construction and maintenance, creating jobs and building skills. 

TOLL FEES

various groups have objected to the proposed toll fees. Fees will be collected at new tollgates to be built on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Critics argue that this area is already heavily tolled and further tolling will impact on local industry, agriculture and tourism.

WHERE TO NEXT?

Critics of both road and mining are calling for a proper in depth assessment of all the issues involved to be made, with full consultation in a transparent process. A Wild Coast Conservation and Sustainable Development Project has been set up by local government, the SA Development Bank and the UNDP, and has commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

This information has been taken from an article by Lylie Musgrave of SWC entitled South Africa’s Wild Coast – Mecca for World Tourists, or Highway to Hell?  - To read the complete article click here.