The developers behind the multibillion-rand upgrade to Durban’s Point precinct want the water sports clubs out, and they have gone to court to have a judge evict them from their shared clubhouse, says a report in The Mercury. The Durban Point Development Company notes the clubhouse is right where a new promenade is supposed to be built, and that delays in construction are going to translate into a ‘direct increased cost’ of around R100 000 a day for them.

This is contained in court papers filed by the company in the KZN High Court (Durban). Company project manager Bevarah Gangaraju said in the papers that the contract for the promenade was worth R370m. He said a tender had already been secured and that the company had instructed architects – both local and Australia-based – and quantity surveyors.

He also said the interests of ‘innocent third parties’ were being adversely affected because the upgrade was set to result in 16 000 new jobs, an increase in property value in the area, an increase in our annual rates revenue and an increase in our taxable revenue.

But the clubs said in the papers that the new lease agreement was simply not acceptable. One of the clubs is also seeking an interdict against the demolition of the clubhouse. Both matters came before the court briefly yesterday, and were adjourned to late October.

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