KOTA KINABALU: Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir reassured that the Tanjung Aru Beach and Prince Philip Park will not be taken away from the public.
He said the state government had clearly stated that the Tanjung Aru Beach is not for sale, as it is the heritage of the people of Sabah and will always be open to the public.
This is also reflected in the draft plan which includes the condition “open and recreational space” as part of the land use of the Tanjung Aru area.
According to him, the top priority of the proposed Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) Masterplan is to rehabilitate and revive the beach and park.
He added that while the “Hotel and Resort” zoning is also indicated as the main land use permitted in the area, it does not mean the area is exclusively for hotels and resorts only.
He reiterated that the public will always be able to access, use and enjoy the beach and park.
On the zoning of the Tanjung Aru area, the mayor said it reflects the integrated nature of the TAED project, which consists of the following:-
– Reviving and, more importantly, expanding both Tanjung Aru beach and Prince Philip Park.
– Re-development of adjacent government land.
– The master developer Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAEDSB) is 100 per cent-owned by the state government, and is not a private developer.
By integrating the beach and park revival project into a wider re-development project, TAED can finance the rehabilitation and expansion of the beach and park through the re-development of the adjacent land.
The Tanjung Aru beach has been badly eroded by decades of wave action and strong currents of the South China Sea over the years and the erosion is now damaging the park as well.
Hence, the mayor said to restore Tanjung Aru beach to its glory of four or five decades ago it needs big ideas and comprehensive solutions.
He added that they would always ensure the public interest is represented and considered while balancing the need to manage development and encourage economic growth.
Madingkir also said that the Second Public Consultation on the Final Draft KK Local Plan which ended on June 6 has received strong interests from the public.
He thanked the public and those who have come forward to submit their comments, saying that their inputs are crucial in producing the Kota Kinabalu Local Plan 2020.
With the completion of the public consultation on the final draft plan, he explained that Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH) is nearing the end of the process to producing its Kota Kinabalu Local Plan 2020 that started in 2002.
Madingkir said the planning document is to guide the transformation of Kota Kinabalu City into a Nature Resort and Maritime City by 2030.
From July to September this year, KKCH will schedule hearings to consider objections put forth during the Second Public Consultation on KKLP 2020.
The mayor said that KKCH values and will consider all the comments and feedback they have received on the Draft Local Plan.