Parliament is expected to deliver its verdict on the proposed project to reclaim just more than 3 ha of land from the sea at the V&A Waterfront, in the third quarter of next year, says V&A Waterfront development executive manager Allan Nenguke.

The reclamation project, which forms part of a broader R24-billion expansion programme at Cape Town’s waterfront development, is currently the simultaneous subject of an environmental-impact assessment, as well as an Integrated Coastal Management Act process.

Should Parliament give the go-ahead, followed by a nod of approval from the V&A Waterfront’s shareholders, construction on the project will start in the fourth quarter of next year, says Nenguke.

While the V&A Waterfront awaits these final approvals, the other projects in the R24-billion development pipeline are moving ahead, he notes.

This includes construction of the R230-million Quay 7 Superyacht Marina, the Cape Town Edition hotel, the Victoria Wharf luxury retail expansion, as well as a later living development.

Nenguke says the Granger Bay reclamation development should create an amenity that will allow Capetonians and other waterfront visitors to touch the water at the V&A Waterfront – which is a harbour property.

Apart from new mixed-use property developments, the reclamation project will include a slipway and spaces for swimming and kayaking, for example.

The project will also add about 1 km of promenade – the missing link – between the current Seapoint promenade and the waterfront, says Nenguke.

For those who know Cape Town: the proposed reclamation site lies between the current western dolos revetment and the Oceana Power Boat Club public launch site.

Construction work would kick off with coastal protection infrastructure, including a revetment and two breakwaters.

Rock would then be placed down to the seabed to stabilise the coastline before the site is filled with soil.

The reclamation phase is expected to last about two years and involves transporting more than 350 t of rock to the site.

The 123 ha V&A waterfront currently provides 30 000 direct jobs and receives 25-million visitors a year.

It holds a whopping 1.52% share of the Western Cape economy.

The waterfront is 50% owned by the Public Investment Corporation and 50% by Growthpoint Properties.

* Nenguke spoke to Engineering News on the sidelines of the Western Cape Infrastructure Ministerial Roundtable held in July.