Facelift on the cards for Dalton precinct

THERE is general uncleanliness, decay and complete non-adherence to municipal bylaws in the Dalton precinct, due partly by residents and property owner’s lack of responsibility in taking care of their area and poor coordination and support to the enforcement of by-laws by City officials.

As part of improving its image, the City has embarked on various campaigns and strategies on how best to manage and maintain the Central Business District (CBD) including its secondary CBDs, with Dalton being one of them. The main aim is to find solutions to the socio-economic challenges which, if neglected, could affect the City’s growth in many aspects.

The South Durban Basin (SDB) Area Based Management (ABM) Municipal Services Manager, Sifiso Xulu said: “As an ABM we have been mandated to develop a Precinct Plan for Dalton. The plan needs to look at short, medium to long term solutions to challenges faced by residents and businesses in Dalton.”

As part of the short term solutions, the SDB ABM in partnership with DSW, Health, Business Support, Prasa and Umbilo Business Forum, embarked on a clean-up campaign around the Dalton beer-hall. Xulu said the aim was to develop an integrated plan that will assist the City to deal with all the challenges found in Dalton in a holistic manner.

“Once the plan is adopted by the City leadership, it will be implemented together with all the stakeholders, such as, businesses and Civil Society Organisations,” added Xulu.

Ward 32 councillor, William Zenzile, applauded the SDB ABM for coordinating such a successful cleanup. He said this cleanup should go down in the history books as a remarkable one, because it involved whoonga vagrants who are accused of causing all sorts of trouble.

Zenzile said: “We are also looking forward to the Dalton Precinct Plan which should tell us how the City will manage the area on daily basis. It must also provide long-term solutions including planned developments.”

Zenzile said the Dalton precinct had the potential to be turned into an entertainment hub. There is a need to upgrade business premises in order to attract consumers to the area.

“Abandoned buildings can be restored and used for homeless people or commercial purposes. The precinct is economically vibrant and can provide employment opportunities to households residing in the Dalton Precinct,” he said.