A proposed 325-residence mixed-use development on a wetland between this town's golf course and sewerage works has been unveiled.
George Rex Place - named after Knysna's colonial founder - has drawn sharp criticism from residents in the area, ecologist Professor Brian Allanson and the Knysna River Catchment Management Forum.
The reasons are, firstly that the developers are applying to develop 76 percent of the property, although the area was rezoned in 1994 on condition that only 20 percent of the property be developed and the rest be rehabilitated as wetland. Secondly, Knysna's road, water, sewerage and electrical services are too stretched to support a new residential area. Thirdly, the development is seeking a three-storey business/residential component.
However, players in the construction industry have come out in strong support of George Rex Place. Ralph Stander of the Black Economic Caucus and Loerie Empowerment Holdings has also confirmed his "full support".
Lead consultant Chris Mulder, best known for his involvement in Thesen Islands, sent an e-mail last week to people in the building industry urging workers, suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors to comment.
Mulder is one of three owners of Jazz Spirit, the company which bought the 19.4ha George Rex Place from Hunters Estate last September for R8 550 000. If Jazz Spirit obtains approval to rezone the land, its resale value will soar.
While the development was originally envisaged with 184 residences, the presently preferred option comprises 325 higher-density units (209 apartments, 116 single residential units, 11 office units and 16 retail units).
Mulder says it complies with official guidelines for 25 dwelling units per hectare. It will require a capital investment of R593,9-million, will see new business sales of R1,5-billion, and will create 1 755 direct jobs during construction, and 850 thereafter.
Consultant Tom Bornman of the Institute for Environmental and Coastal Management has conducted two studies into the George Rex Place wetlands. He noted that the freshwater wetland on the property "is fairly unique in the Knysna area and has a high conservation value as a whole".
But in his vegetation assessment for Chris Mulder and Associates Inc in 2005, Bornman found that most freshwater wetlands on the site were caused by human activity and "should not be considered natural or conservation-worthy". Mulder argues that the land was derelict, environmentally degraded, and alien-infested.