Newcastle’s Chelmsford Nature Reserve and Utrecht’s Balele Game Park are on the brink of exciting transformations that will enrich the experiences of both residents and tourists.
These cherished local attractions play an essential role within the Newcastle and Utrecht communities, not only providing residents with the opportunity to enjoy their towns’ natural beauty but also attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.
In light of this, the Amajuba District Municipality is currently planning a Dam Revitalisation Programme aimed at sustaining the dams within its borders and drawing in large numbers of tourists.
According to the District Municipality’s Final Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2024/2025, the Amajuba District Municipality is planning to revitalise the five dams across the Amajuba area. It’s noteworthy that the IDP highlights Chelmsford Nature Reserve and Balele Game Park as the top attractions for leisure visitors, with Chelmsford being the second most visited dam in KZN.
Considering this and as explained by the District Municipality’s IDP, many visitors to these venues are locals, but there are also tourists from outside the district, especially during holiday seasons and special events held at these sites.
“Both reserves, however, need upgrades and especially an increase in accommodation as they have to turn people away over the summer months,” the District Municipality noted in its IDP.
Zaaihoek Dam, located east of Volksrust and within the District Municipality’s jurisdiction, is described as beautiful but underdeveloped. Similarly, Tom Worthington Dam in Hattingspruit, Dannhauser, has a few service providers but lacks necessary infrastructure.
The Amajuba District Municipality also emphasised that both Amcor Dam and Trim Park could benefit from enhancements to better host events and serve the Newcastle community.
Taking an overall look at Chelmsford, Balele, Zaaihoek, Tom Worthington Dam, and Amcor Dam, the Amajuba District Municipality remarked, “These dams have the potential to unlock events, adventure, sports, and tourism opportunities. Each of the dams is unique in their level of tourism potential and development.”
Therefore, the following projects have been proposed as part of the dam’s revitalisation programme:
- Introduce campsites and security at Zaaihoek Dam.
- Increase accommodation capacity at Chelmsford Nature Reserve.
- Increase accommodation capacity at Balele Game Park and provide support for its impending change in management and upgrade. This project is currently underway.
- Introduce and upgrade info lapha boards, ablutions, picnic sites, and other infrastructure at Balele Game Park, Chelmsford Nature Reserve, Zaaihoek Dam, Amcor Dam, Trim Park (Newcastle), and Tom Worthington Dam (Hattingspruit – Dannhauser).
- Ensure these infrastructure upgrades include sporting, fishing, and birding facilities in collaboration with appropriate clubs.
Additionally, the Amajuba District Municipality highlighted in its IDP that development of the Balele Game Park has commenced with an assessment/survey of existing facilities and infrastructure, determining the nature and extent of refurbishment required, and developing designs for both existing and new facilities. Market assessments to determine tourism demand for the park development have also been conducted, along with the creation of a financial and business plan for securing funding for the refurbishment and development of park facilities and infrastructure, which was completed by the end of June 2022.
he initial phase was funded by Tourism KwaZulu, while phases 1, 2, and 3 of the Balele Game Park Project received project funding from EDTEA. EDTEA allocated R9.5 million for infrastructure development at Balele Game Park, aimed at renovating and diversifying the tourism offerings.
While the District Municipality now focuses on developing Chelmsford Nature Reserve and Balele Game Park, alongside other dams in the area, no specific timeframe has been provided for when these projects will officially commence. The exact cost has also not been disclosed. However, this is a developing story, and as the Amajuba District Municipality makes progress, readers will be updated.
With much-needed development heading towards these popular destinations, what are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 3
At long last, something is being done.
Chelmsford has deteriorated to a terrible state. The camp sites no longer have electrical points, no water in the bathrooms and non functional toilets and showers. We use to go every year to the campsites, but sadly in the past two years, we had to stop as the sites are not maintained. We look forward to these changes as we will once again be able to go overnight to this beautiful dam.
That will be a great development and upcoming generation will understand the importance of preserving nature. As a qualified conservationist and someone who likes camping I find it very interesting to hear such planned upgrades.
Never going to happen. Basic level of service can’t be maintained. IDP is a gloried wish list … it’s done for a planning purposes. The reality is that there are other pressing budgeting priorities such as health, education, infrastructure development etc.
it’s just creating false perceptions. We wish competitively at the dam. Improvements which were done were largely through the efforts of the KZN Angling Liaison Committee by donating full material to the value of R60 000.
Maybe reporters should critically evaluate information before publishing. Simple question that they could have asked… what’s the funding model. Like I say it’s the figment of someone’s imagination.
The chalet at Richgate Park have been lying vacant for the last 15 years, the campsite are deteriorating, roads are atrocious, storm water management poor, poaching taking place at an unprecedented rate etc