Zimbali Lakes - Phase 1 reaches practical completion

KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Phase one of Zimbali Lakes recently reached practical completion. The project is a an integrated residential and golf course development, including a mixed-use resort, proposed retirement village and commercial use.

SMEC South Africa is appointed for the design and construction of all bulk infrastructure within the overall 295ha development. Our team has played an integral part in developing layout designs and site planning. An important aspect of the role has been liaising with all other service providers such as electrical, landscape architecture, ICT, security and building architects to ensure everything is well integrated. This process also required close collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, KwaDukuza Municipality and Siza Water.

Phase 1 was rolled out as a design and build contract led by our dynamic Urban Development team. A key challenge was to manage the topography and geotechnical conditions of the site to ensure bulk earthworks costs were minimised. The team also had to design layout plans to high specifications whilst limiting encroachment of earthworks on saleable land to ensure maximum return for the client.

These geometric designs in some cases required high fill embankments coupled with coordinated geotechnical improvements of geo grids and rock grids. Phase 2 of the development will commence in the next month and Phase 3 is expected to commence in the latter part of the year.

Construction of the lakes is taking shape

Road and civil infrastructure

Begota Dam

Computer generated image