Development Opportunities & Constraints (Doc) for Tawau District

Source : http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm

1 Rapid Survey of Development Opportunities & Constraints (DOC) for Tawau District
Dates of Survey – 30 March 1999

1.1 Existing Situation	1.2 Constraints and Opportunities	1.3 Development Directions

1.1.1 Background Information

沿岸地区 ICZM area

The district of Tawau has a coastal zone area of 1,771km ², much of it concentrated around the narrow coastal areas at the southern part of the district. Some 70% of Tawau are high hills and mountainous.

人口 Population

The 1991 official statistics stated that the population of Tawau was 244,728 making it the highest populated district in Sabah. It is expected to grow to 649,180 in 2005, and increase of 165.3%. The huge increase in population is partly due to the influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries, particularly the Philippines and Indonesia. However no exact statistical data are available.

The urban population too is expected to increase from 124,943 to 482,758 people. However the preferred strategy is to decrease the urban population to 400,000.

1991

Trend 2005

Preferred 2005

Total Population

244,728

649,180

649,180

Urban Population

124,943

482,758

400,000

Rural Population

119,785

166,422

249,180

Urban Development 1991-2005 : 1,650 ha.

Of which 1,238 ha. Prime Agricultural Land

Source: 1991 Census & ICZM Working Group

规划 Planning Schemes

The Tawau Local Plan serves as a planning guide to the development of urban Tawau. However no planning scheme for the whole district was available for inspection.

1.1.2 Physical

地势 Topography

Most of the topography on the western portion of the coastal areas is tidal swamps and terraces caused by the many rivers such as the Kilabukan, Brantian and Merotai rivers that flow through to Cowie Harbour. The eastern portion of the coastal zone consists mostly of terraces and tidal swamps and floodplains, some moderate hills and sand beaches along the southern coast.

A unique basin-hill like landmark is found approximately 10km west of Merotai Besar. It is within the wildlife reserve. However not much is known about the hill.

植物环境 Vegetation and Environment

Oil palm and cocoa are the major tree crops in Tawau. Oil palm is concentrated along the roads to Merotai up to Brantian and along the roads to Semporna and Kunak. Cocoa is mostly concentrated in the interior north of Tawau town. Cocoa plantations are however decreasing.

Other typical vegetation consists of:

1) Fruit trees 2) Bananas 3) Coconut 4) Rubber

Most of Tawau is fertile especially areas away from the tidal swamps and the high hills. As a result areas not gazette as forest reserves are likely to be cultivated. Few of the hills around Tawau however are being protected as a forest protection area such as at Bukit Gumok, Bukit Tinagat and Bukit Tanjung Batu. Bukit Gumok in particular is protected as a recreational park but surrounded by palm oil plantations. However Bukit Tanjung Batu is half quarried.

1.1.3 Development

开发中心 Growth centres

Tawau town is the major urban centre for the south-eastern region of Sabah. It is particularly active in barter trading especially with neighbouring Indonesia at Nunukan. Despite the large urban population, Tawau town faces less traffic congestion compared to other urban centres in Sabah partly due to the grid pattern of roads. Tawau town too has plenty of development land especially on the reclaimed part of the town.

Other growth centres are at Merotai Besar and Kalabakan. Wallace Bay at Pulau Sebatik too is being planned for an integrated port complex to cater for barter trading.

住宅 Settlement

Most of the settlements in Tawau occur along roads and in growth centres. Illegal squatter dwellings, (a major issue in Tawau) are found along the coast and river mouth. There are about 18 illegal squatters’ areas around Tawau town alone. Kg. Titingan or the “Ice Box” and Hidayat are the largest of all. Besides settling along the coast, some of them reside in most unsafe areas such as at the end of the Tawau airport runway.

Two army camps are also found in Tawau; Kokosan (32.4 hectares) and Kobota (80.9 hectares).

基础架设 Infrastructural

Accessibility to basic infrastructure (Roads, water and electricity) is basically good except in the rural areas. This is partly because of the scattered settlement patterns and funding. However there is a major plan to improve road linkages between Kalabakan and Pensiangan.

A new airport is currently being constructed at Km28 Jalan Apas. It is due to be completed by end of 2000. To cater for the increasing traffic volume, a dual carriageway is to be built right up to the airport.

To cater for the increasing health services, the HOSPITAL has been expanded and a new nursing school has been opened.

经济 Economic

Agriculture is the major economic activity of Tawau particularly the oil palm and cocoa plantation. The Majulah Cocoa factory in Tawau for instance is said to be the biggest in Malaysia.

Forest related industries are still active in Tawau especially in the Tanjung Batu areas. There are also some logging activities south of Tawau within the interior of Serudong.

Fisheries particularly aquaculture too plays an important part of Tawau’s economy. The Prawn farms at Batu Payung are said to be the biggest in Sabah. Most of the products are exported overseas.

The tourism industry particularly eco-tourism is increasingly popular in Tawau. Although the attractions may not be in Tawai itself, Tawau is used as a transit for the popular destinations of Pulau Sipadan and Mabul in Semporna.

Other potential attractions are the beautiful Forest Centre at Luasung near Danum Valley.

Barter trade has been a traditional economic activity between Tawau and its neighbouring countries particularly Nunukan in Indonesia. Immigrant movement as a result from this activity is said to be under control.

INDEX : Development April 28, 2008 10:39:35 AM