+R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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Lisbeth
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+R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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R19m Tsitsikamma upgrade to be completed in 2018

2017-11-02 11:03 - Kavitha Pillay

Construction at the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is underway, with the office building confirmed to be complete and operational.

South African National Parks (SANParks) says that the office building that will house client services and reception staff is now operational, while the entrance gate to the Tsitsikamma section will be complete in 2018.

According to SANParks, it is "in the process of appointing a concession holder to complete the construction work at the gate after a hired company could not complete the task due to unforeseen circumstances."

"SANParks followed due process after the termination of the company’s contract by obtaining three quotations. Negotiations with a suitable local contractor to complete the task are underway. This is the best decision to fast-track the completion of the work at the main gate," says SANParks.

R19+ million Tsitsikamma upgrade

The Tsitsikamma Section project began in 2016 as part of a +R19 million project to upgrade infrastructure in the Storms River Rest Camp and includes the development around the Big Tree. R19 million was granted by the Expanded Public Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) and National Department of Tourism.

"To date, 80% of the work is complete including a temporary road constructed in 2015 to allow visitors to access the Park," says SANParks.

The upgrades aim to introduce a "streamlined structure and system" for visitors. "Noise levels around the site have remained normal and parking space has not affected by the construction work. No heavy machinery is used and all work is on existing footprint," says SANParks.

The Park has a temporary restaurant and curio shop and a variety of accommodation on offer. Activities for visitors include ziplining, forest excursions with a segway, hiking trails and water activities. Measures to ensure traffic flows efficiently from the Park’s main gate are also in place. They include an introduction of a new lane, additional staff to assist visitors.


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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Has any of the above been finished or even started?


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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I think the new gate at stormsriver mouth is finished.

Just wonder when, if ever. will the rebuild the restaurant :-?


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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It burnt down, didn't it?
Are you sure that it has not been done yet? Strange, because with all the day visitors that they have there :-?


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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Lisbeth wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2019 9:24 am It burnt down, didn't it?
Are you sure that it has not been done yet? Strange, because with all the day visitors that they have there :-?

Yes it burned down about 5 years ago i think.

The latest google image which was taken in March this year shows the old restaurant area as a parking area. The temporary restaurant is still there.


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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At least there is a possibility to get something to eat.

It is obviously not one of the primaries on the SANParks bucket list. It means spending not earning O** Even if my now they must have cashed the money from the insurance -O-


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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Lisbeth wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2019 10:49 am At least there is a possibility to get something to eat.

It is obviously not one of the primaries on the SANParks bucket list. It means spending not earning O** Even if my now they must have cashed the money from the insurance -O-
Would love to know if the insurance paid out


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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There is nothing about the restaurant on the SANParks forum :-?


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Re: +R17 million Tsitsikamma upgrades finally kick off

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Media Release: Tsitsikamma Gateway Project nearly there…restaurant in 2020

11 November 2019

Visitors can stop over for coffee near the biggest tree in the Garden Route this upcoming festive season. The precinct dubbed the Eastern Gateway Project is in Tsitsikamma and is nearly completed. Contractors are finalizing the completion of the parking area.

Speaking on-site, Project Manager for Infrastructure Projects in the Garden Route National Park says ‘we are excited and looking forward to completing the project before the festive rush. The café will be opened in December and the curio shop is also underway.’

The project is on the way to the Garden Route National Park’s biggest tree in Tsitsikamma- The ‘Big Tree’ an Outeniqua Yellowwood in Tsitsikamma, estimated to be about 1000 years old. It is close to 40 meters high and about 9 meters in diameter.

The precinct is just off the N2 national road and will provide an ideal stopover for most visitors travelling between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

The R14,4 million infrastructure project had two (2) phases. The first phase took off after a Basic Environmental Assessment and an Environmental Authorisation gave a thumbs-up for bulk services to be installed. It included the provision of bulk services including water, electricity and sewer already feeding the Storms River Village (staff houses) via a pipeline which runs under the N2.

The second phase of the project was completed to create a precinct with a coffee shop and curio shop. Some 16 locals were involved in its construction with a contractor from the Eastern Cape Province (Simunye Developers).

The project was funded by the National Department of Tourism.

Visitors to the Park will be delighted to note the progress of the entrance gate to the Park which was completed earlier in 2019 and now provides better entry and exit to the Park’s Storms River Rest Camp.

The Park’s restaurant which was gutted down by a fire in 2016 was moved to a temporary facility. Architectural designs for the restaurant were completed and finances sourced from the Infrastructure Grant according to SANParks’ Curt Jones who manages infrastructure and special projects.

‘The project has had to receive approval from the National Treasury first. We are now gearing internal process to prepare for the advertisement of the tender in early 2020’ says Jones.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks)

Media enquiries:
Nandi Mgwadlamba
Regional Communications Manager
Tel: 078 702 9663
Email: nandi.mgwadlamba@sanparks.org


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