With residential construction growing at one of the fastest rates in the Eastern Cape, it is estimated that the value of approved building plans for Kouga will exceed R2 billion this financial year – with a value of R1 billion in completed building work achieved for the first time.
A total of 352 building plans, with an estimated combined value of over R501 million, were approved by the Kouga Municipality between July and September this year. Over 90% of these plans are for residential developments, including multi-family residential developments in St Francis Bay – especially at the St Francis Harbour.
Jeffreys Bay saw 152 plans receiving the stamp of approval, while 65 and 32 plans were given the green light for Sea Vista and St Francis Links respectively.
Further approved plans include Paradise Beach (29), Aston Bay (23), Cape St Francis (18), Gamtoos Mouth (11), Humansdorp (nine), Crossways (seven), Oyster Bay (three), and Uitenhage Road (three).
Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks said, “We are at a growth point which we have not seen before, as Kouga continues to develop at a rate that far exceeds that of reported figures for the Eastern Cape – making us one of the leaders in the province, if not South Africa.
“Despite the value of building plans for January to August this year decreasing by 11% year-on-year in the Eastern Cape, the value of building plans for Kouga suggests that this current financial of over R2 billion for plans will be passed, and it is likely that for the first time a value of R1 billion in completed building work in a single financial year will be achieved.”
A further 154 occupational certificates valued at over R207 million were issued between July and September this year, while a total of 591 stage inspections (foundation, drainage, etc.) were conducted in the same period.
“This rapid growth not only signifies a welcome growth in the municipality, but also a surge in investment across the region,” said Hendricks.
He said the construction boom can be attributed to the above average urbanisation and population growth of the Kouga municipal area.
Furthermore, the continued use of the fully electronic plans submission process used by the Kouga Municipality continues to yield positive build environment and development results.
“This enables registered professionals of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession from anywhere in the world to submit building plans in a fully electronic and paperless channel to the municipality,” said Hendricks.
“This positive trajectory was reflected in the selection of the municipality to host the National Building Control Officers Forum Conference earlier this month.”
According to him, there is still a massive opportunity for growth along the Jeffreys Bay to Humansdorp corridor which is largely underdeveloped. Further areas such as Hankey, Patensie, and St Francis Bay have low density and ample land to support further growth.
– ISSUED BY KOUGA MUNICIPALITY
