BULAWAYO City Council has set aside vast tracks of land for construction of hotels and industries.
NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER
The local authority has in recent years embarked on campaigns to dispel the notion that the country’s second city and former industrial hub is dying.
As part of efforts to lure investors, the council has provided vast tracts of vacant land in various locations for development and investment.
Part of the land set aside for the hospitality sector is along the Bulawayo-Harare Road, Umguza Nature Park (401,263ha) and Mazwi Nature Park ( 2030,75ha).
According to information presented by the council’s acting economic development officer Brian Hlongwane on Tuesday, investors should take advantage of the animal population in both parks for eco-tourism.
At both sites, the council is seeking joint venture partnerships with the city’s business unit — City of Kings Tours and Safaris.
“Concept to bring nature to the city; small animal population in both parks should thrive on conserved flora, fauna and forestry,” council said in a notice.
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“Development of lodges for tourists and visitors is encouraged. Both parks are less than 15km from the central business district (CBD) to the west and north-west.”
Council said developers needed to revamp already existing facilities that provide a natural environment within the city such as Hillside Dams.
“Development of lodges is encouraged. The site is located within the affluent Hillside suburb a mere 6km from the central business district,” council said.
Khami Dam resort centre is earmarked for a joint venture with a private developer.
The site, according to Hlongwane, is for the “development of a multipurpose resort centre within the scenic Khami Dam area to offer such facilities as chalets, boating and fishing, bird viewing and ancillary activities. This is a natural bird sanctuary with a variety of bird species”.
Another site straddles Matopos Road and Plumtree Road, a mere 12km south of the CBD and has easy access to the scenic Matopos Hills with fantastic rock formations, game reserve and bird sanctuary.
The area along Bulawayo Drive and Harare Road intersection, which is about five hectares, is also set for development.
Apart from hotels, Hlongwane said council was seeking investors for development of shopping malls and ancillary facilities on a two-acre piece of land in Makokoba and Glenville along the Victoria Falls Road.
Industrial zones have been demarcated at Cowdray Park Light Industry (600m²), Kelvin West Extension 2 (+2 000m²), Kelvin East Extension (+3 000 m²) and at Umvumila.
