Metro speeds up land acquisition period
In an effort to attract investment in Ekurhuleni and to boost the aerotropolis project, the municipality has now reduced the period it takes to acquire land.
In the past, the process took anything between 18 and 36 months and this was a discouraging factor to potential investors.
Addressing Caxton East Rand and South Rand editors in Boksburg, on November 20, Ekurhuleni’s head of economic development, Caiphus Chauke, said the metro has put systems in place to fast track the application process.
“The whole process now takes between six and eight months to complete,” said Chauke.
Applicants will get feedback on whether or not their application will be approved within 40 days of submission.
Should applications be considered for approval, applicants will then be invited to make a presentation before the economic development committee, where they will get immediate feedback.
“It will then move to the mayoral committee for final approval,” said Chauke.
The municipality has audited all land in Ekurhuleni and has identified municipal-owned land.
The private sector is invited to develop such land to boost the aerotropolis project.
Priority is given to manufacturing and industrialisation and, already, companies are starting to move to the R21 corridor.
An aerotropolis is an urban plan in which the layout, infrastructure and economy are centred on an airport and exists as an airport city.
Ekurhuleni hopes to achieve the same with O R Tambo International Airport.
The metro has, thus far, appointed a panel to develop a five-year master plan for the project, which focuses on putting more resources in place to attract investment and development for the project.
The project is expected to impact on social, environmental, urban and economic development in the city in a positive way.
