Zip lining, hiking, glamping, and regular camping will be among the activities available at a RM40mil agro-tourism project in Paya Terubong, George Town. The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and KAT Resources Sdn Bhd signed a letter of agreement for the project, witnessed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. It is expected to create 400 jobs and become the state’s latest tourism attraction.
According to Chow, the 45-year lease agreement between PDC and KAT Resources ensures systematic and planned development for the benefit of the state and tourism industry. He emphasized that there will be no repeat of illegal land clearing incidents like the ones at Bukit Botak or Bukit Relau. KAT Resources Sdn Bhd will obtain all relevant approvals, including environmental impact assessment reports, before commencing the project, which is expected to take one year to complete.
The project will cover 165ha (about 408 acres) of PDC land, including hills up to 70m in height. It will incorporate measures for drainage, slope protection, and valley conservation. The development will feature a durian orchard, livestock feeding and viewing areas, campsites, and various recreational activities. Chow mentioned the possibility of granting leases for smaller plots to those currently farming illegally on the site.
This project, along with others like the cable car, LRT, and Bukit Kukus paired roads, represents the state’s commitment to implementing projects that stimulate the economy, according to Chow. The signing ceremony was attended by other state government leaders, including Fahmi Zainol and Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.
PDC CEO Datuk Aziz Bakar stated that guidelines would be established, with the assistance of the Agriculture Department, to ensure the preservation of green cover. He estimated that the lease deal would benefit the state government with approximately RM24mil over 45 years.
CEO Teh Kok Aun of KAT Resources shared that the project is projected to generate RM3mil per year from agriculture yield and RM5mil annually from tourism activities. This estimation does not include the potential spillover effect on nearby hotels, transport, and food and beverage industries.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
