HARBOUR REVAMP SET TO BOOST ECONOMY

Saldanha and St Helena Bay to be revitalised

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

MORE than 600 000 jobs could be created as plans are put in motion to redevelop the Saldanha Bay and St Helena Bay harbours, which have fallen into. disrepair due to crime and vandalism.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Saldanha Bay Local Municipality Mayor André Truter visited the harbours this week, committing to their revitalisation to boost the local economy.

The announcement comes just days after Transport Minister Barbara Creecy launched a Request for Information (RFI) to attract private sector partnerships in rail and port infrastructure, which is expected to create at least 20 000 jobs and generate more than R1.6 billion in additional tax revenue over five years.

The Western Cape Government's Growth for Jobs strategy aims to triple exports to R450bn and increase private sector investment to 20% of the province's GDP.

Macpherson and Truter said St Helena Bay and Saldanha Bay harbours should become economic hubs for their communities.

"The V&A Waterfront has helped create over 60 000 jobs, and we believe this level of success can be replicated across the country, creating jobs for communities such as Saldanha Bay," Macpherson said.

A year ago, fishing company Sea Harvest, in partnership with the national government, pledged R72 million to repair infrastructure and improve access for small-scale fishers and local businesses.