KUANTAN: Pahang is looking at the prospect of having its first land reclamation exercise — a mega seafront project — along Pantai Gelora, some 3.5km from the popular Teluk Cempedak beach here.
According to the Kuantan District Locality Plan 2035 Draft (Alteration 1), the proposed diversified and integrated development project will reclaim about 572ha of land along the Taman Gelora and Tanjung Api shoreline here.
The Kuantan Laguna Resort City (KLRC) is poised to become the first integrated sea-facing resort, leisure and entertainment destination here.
The main components of the mixed development project will consist of waterfront and seafront living properties, an international terminal for cruise liners, a light city, a marina walk, business parks and a medical centre.
In terms of accessibility, the suggested site is close to the city centre, which is seen as a vital asset for international developments.
"The KLRC development master plan is expected to have a positive impact, as it will avoid Kuantan's city expansion towards Gambang town. The presence of the ECRL (East Coast Rail Link) alignment in the future will increase the demand for further development in the vicinity, including at the proposed site," it said in the plan.
The Kuantan District Locality Plan 2035 Draft was placed on public display at the Kuantan City Council headquarters and Pahang Town and Country Planning Department's (PlanMalaysia) office in Indera Mahkota here between Jan 24 and Feb 23 this year to obtain public feedback on the planned projects.
The KLRC appears to be a "resemblance" to another mega project, namely the Kuantan Waterfront Resort City in Tanjung Lumpur, which was launched more than a decade ago.
The billion ringgit project proposed along a 2.5km stretch of shoreline in Tanjung Lumpur near the Sungai Kuantan river mouth included a water theme park, indoor aquarium, shopping complex and resort, which could cater up to 500,000 visitors a year.
It was reported that there were plans to have duty-free shops, a lighthouse, while the residential area includes floating villas, condominiums and bungalows. The project supposedly consists land clearing, reclamation and dredging works.
The project began in 2013 and was projected to be completed in 10 to 15 years. Currently, two blocks — a luxury hotel and service apartment — which is part of the resort city project have started operations.