Environmentalists urge govt to reject T'ganu reclamation project

An environmentalist group has mounted pressure on another sea reclamation project, this time, a proposed mixed-development in an area spanning 768ha located along Pantai Teluk Ketapang, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.

Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa) today highlighted on Facebook a recent post from Greater Terengganu Development about a proposal for the Sunrise City project, as well as several images of the site.

"If approved, it appears the Terengganu government has yet to learn its lessons on the negative impact from sea reclamation to the people's lives and the environment.

"It is hoped projects such as these will not be approved," Kuasa said.

Among others, the group said reclamation projects would worsen coastal erosion in the area, already a long-standing problem from the annual monsoon season that has affected over 244km of Terengganu's coastlines since many years ago.

This was on top of impacts to livelihoods of the local fishing community and others in the area, a common concern cited in protests mounted against other proposed reclamation including the Penang South Islands project.

"In any coastal area in the peninsula, particularly in the East Coast, it would be very unsuitable for reclamation because all of our coastlines are very rich and sensitive to changes in land use.

"More importantly, there are many communities, particularly the fishing community, in need of the beach area for their livelihood and to support our demand for seafood," Kuasa added.

According to Greater Terengganu Development, the Sunrise City project was proposed to boost the local economy and relieve congestion in Kuala Terengganu by offering facilities including residential and commercial areas, hotels, tourism and industrial sites.

"It was planned with the intention to develop the area by building canals and water recreational areas, reshaping the coastline for sports activities and festivals that will attract domestic and international tourists," it said.

According to the project's environmental impact assessment report submitted to the Department of Environment on Aug 30, 2019, an Ipoh-based company, Elcca Properties Sdn Bhd, is listed as its proponent.

The report listed the key project components as reclamation of 768ha over five phases, requiring 62 million cubic metres of sand.

It will also involve capital dredging of 8.3 million cubic metres for breakwater construction, navigation channel and turning basin (water level) to a depth of -12m.

The first phase was initially scheduled to begin in the first quarter of last year and targeted for completion in six years.

In terms of location, the report stated that the project is located more than 10km from four gazetted marine parks, and 15km from the nearest coral reef in Pulau Kapas. 

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