An R850-million property development in Kenton-on Sea which will result in an improved water supply system and create jobs, was announced in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Property development company Kenton Eco Estate has been formed to establish a residential estate just east of the village of Kenton-on-Sea.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Grey High School Pavilion, company chairman and well-known businessman Derrick Minnie said a lot of work had gone into the project.

“A complete water solution, supported by numerous economic and social benefits, will greatly assist the local community. This is a great venture and there are good employment opportunities which will bring much business to the area,” Minnie said.

An estimated 2 000 jobs would be created over the next five to six years and a labour cost contribution of about R200-million would trickle through to the local community.

Doug Verley, the estate’s developer, said the development would also finance local community projects.

“A socio-economic trust funded by 25% of the net commercial gain from this development as negotiated with the contractors would be used to uplift the local community,” Verley said.

He said about R10-million would go toward community projects.

He added that R9,5-million would go towards the upgrading of the current desalination plant situated at Bushmans River mouth. Chris Swart, also a project developer, said it would have no negative impact on the environment.
“This will be a fully fledged ecoestate with the residential site positioned within the grasslands.

“From an environmental point of view this development will not have any negative impact,” he said.

He was aware of the water shortage in the area and the estate would occupy only 20% of the property.

“The village will be discrete with 330 homes positioned in the open space blending with nature within different residential sites” he said.

The developers said the initiative had been endorsed by Agriculture MEC Gugile Nkwinti and Ndlambe Municipality mayor Vukile Balura, as it addressed concerns about job creation and the provision of a sustainable water supply for the area.

Minnie said a full environmental impact assessment, site development, and rezoning application had already begun.

Minnie, who was born in Port Elizabeth, represented the province in athletics and rugby.

In 1965, he joined Kohler Corrugated in PE and went on to become the divisional chief executive of the company in 1982.

By 1988 he was Kohler’s chief executive but was head hunted in 1993 by Mondi Ltd to be group managing director.

During his tenure at Mondi he acquired Kohler Corrugated which led to the formation of Mondipak in 1999. He retired in 2002.