KwaDukuza municipality is considering spending R7.9-million on land to expand the Ballito Taxi Rank.

The proposal was tabled at last Wednesday’s council meeting as the municipality looks to move ahead with Phase 3 of the public transport facility.

The municipality wants to acquire a 3 510m² property next to the existing taxi rank to make way for permanent ablution facilities, informal trader stalls and formal vehicle washing bays.

The property, owned by Shell Downstream South Africa, is situated on the corner of Ballito Drive and Moffatt Drive.

According to the report tabled at council, the municipality intends to acquire the land through what it describes as ‘friendly expropriation’.

The landowner has indicated in writing that it is willing to sell the property, provided the municipality takes responsibility for installing the water, electricity, sanitation and stormwater infrastructure needed to service the site.

The proposed acquisition marks the latest step in the phased development of the Ballito Taxi Rank, a project dating back more than a decade.

Between 2012 and 2013, the municipality began searching for suitable land for a public transport facility in response to Ballito’s rapid growth and increasing demand for public transport.

About R3.35-million was allocated to Phase 1 in the 2016/17 financial year. The work included site clearance, sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure, road surfacing, fencing and temporary ablution facilities.

A further R6.58-million was allocated between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years for Phase 2. This included a steel shelter, stormwater infrastructure, electrification and kerbing.

Phase 2 was officially handed over on April 8 last year.

Following the handover, the taxi association requested that the facility be expanded, leading to plans for Phase 3.

Municipal officials recommended expropriation rather than a normal private sale, saying this would provide greater certainty over the acquisition process.

The municipality previously used expropriation to acquire land on which the existing taxi rank was developed in 2017.

The proposed R7.9-million purchase is expected to be funded through the Phase 3 capital budget, although the final allocation still needs to be confirmed.