By: ANG Reporter
Central Karoo District Executive Mayor Gayton McKenzie has continued his investment and growth drive with the announcement of a bidder to construct a multibillion-rand logistics hub in Beaufort West.
The mayor shared artist impressions and a plan for the first phase of the project, which involves the purchase of a piece of land in the south of the town and the construction of numerous facilities, including warehouses, and truck parking.
It is envisioned that the facility will change the face of logistics and distribution throughout the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State and North West, since Beaufort West is a connecting node for thousands of trucks each day travelling on the N1.
Speaking to Africa News Global, McKenzie pointed out that the location’s road and rail links to the ports of Cape Town and Gqeberha make it ideal to serve as a dry port that will ease pressure on strained facilities at the coast.
“This should have been built 10 or even 20 years ago,” he said, “but we have to look ahead now. With the additional investment this facility will bring through boosted economic activity, we are likely to see factories, more warehouses and the need for greater internal power generation. This is part of our plan to eradicate unemployment in the Central Karoo for anyone who wants a job.”
McKenzie paid tribute to his coalition partners in the district for their ongoing support and enthusiasm for bringing change and growth to the Karoo, in particular the ANC, Karoo Democratic Force and Karoo Gemeenskap Party.
The project is 100% black owned and is being fully funded by the developer, BW Power. Some of the experienced consulting and partner companies involved with the hub include Smit & Fisher Architects, Icon Civil Engineering, Urban Econ Development Economists, ITS Traffic Engineering, Groenberg Environmental and Urban Dynamics Town Planning.
Phase 1 will take place over 15ha, land which BW Power will be buying from the municipality. Phase 2 is likely to cover a much larger area of 100ha, possibly in partnership with the council or through another outright land purchase.
This will be a major contributing factor to socio-economic change and growth in the Karoo..you go Mr President..you are always in my prayers
This is brilliant, and I am glad to hear that it will definitely reduced the unemployment issue. Our country has been in desperate need of this type of development.
I like how the Mayor is representing the interests of his people.
This is what South Africa need not bee
[…] to Africa News Global, it is envisioned that the facility will change the face of logistics and distribution throughout […]
[…] to Africa News Global, it is envisioned that the facility will change the face of logistics and distribution throughout […]
Fantastic news for the Central Karoo, and potentially the Garden Route and Klein Karoo !!! I have much value to add as Strategic Development Advisor and Quantity Surveyor, and would appreciate the contact details of the Developer !!!
Kind Regards,
Frans van der Walt
Managing Director, Senior QS and Strategic Development Advisor
QS2000 Plus (Quantity Surveyors & Project Managers) (currently based in Oudtshoorn)
frans@qs2000plus.co.za
[…] will soon be turning into a reality in that region is the multi-billion rand project to develop a logistic hub which will not only ease shipment costs and time, but creates employment for the youth of the […]
Good Job 👍 keep up Gayton
[…] commitment could also be motivated by the major construction of an R4,5 billion logistics hub which will see huge movements of trucks in the near […]