The development, Nusa Benoa, comprises 12 artificial islands, a mini-city with gated communities, Venice-styled canals, townhouses, condominiums, hotels, botanic gardens, Disney-themed parks, marinas, a cultural island, a retail and business district and mangrove eco chalets.
Protests are being stepped up ahead of an environmental impact decision on a massive development in Bali’s Benoa Bay.
The development, Nusa Benoa, comprises 12 artificial islands, a mini-city with gated communities, Venice-styled canals, townhouses, condominiums, hotels, botanic gardens, Disney-themed parks, marinas, a cultural island, a retail and business district and mangrove eco chalets.
Critics say the creation of small islets in the bay will have a huge social impact on local communities and damage Bali’s coastline, including several beaches, from Benoa to Tuban, to Kuta, and all the way to Sanur.
One of Indonesia’s richest men, Tomy Winata is poised to begin work on the US$3 billion project through his privately-owned PT Tirta Wahana Bali International once he gets approval from Jakarta.
Balinese are questioning what this latest project will mean for Benoa Bay, an ecosystem with 1375 hectares of mangrove forests, five rivers and 12 villages, that is also home to 150,000 people.