Polokwane Municipality lifts land development moratorium
The DA actively debated against the decision as the reason for the moratorium was to halt development until Polokwane's bulk water supply has been adequately addressed.
POLOKWANE – In a bold step, the Polokwane Municipality resolved to rescind the moratorium placed on land development unconditionally during last Wednesday’s ordinary council meeting.
This follows the local authority’s implementation of a moratorium on land development in July 2017 due to a lack of adequate water supply to the city, albeit with certain conditions.
In terms of township development, the condition was that the services agreement will not be signed until the bulk infrastructure in relation to water and sanitation is addressed.
The condition for rezoning and clause applications to increase density, was that building plans be accepted once the bulk infrastructure in relation to water and sanitation is addressed.
In the motivation for the resolution, the responsible department indicated that the moratorium resulted in a loss of jobs and that land developers were negatively affected and some town planning practices were closed or relocated.
“Economic growth is stagnant, the unemployment rate is increasing and land development is at a slow pace which is another barrier for housing delivery and affordability,” the report tabled in council stated. Due to the increasing number of various land development applications lodged at the municipality and the progress made in terms of addressing water and sanitation bulk infrastructure challenges, it is proposed to wholly set aside the land development moratorium,” the officials advised council.
The DA voted against the lifting of the moratorium and actively debated against the decision as the reason for the moratorium was to halt development until Polokwane’s bulk water supply has been adequately addressed.
“The DA supports development in the city, but not at the expense of the residents currently suffering due to a water supply deficit and watershedding. For development to be sustainable, there should be adequate water supply,” DA caucus leader in the municipality, Johan Retters argued.
He reckons the city should focus on developing current water infrastructure, implement measures to reduce the 36% water losses as well as adequately monitor and replace the thousands of dysfunctional water meters.
“According to the report submitted to council, Polokwane will receive an additional 38Ml of water from three current projects into the water distribution system by the end of July 2025.
The municipality is not known for meeting targets on water projects; the Sandriver North Project has already been extended with five months to April 2025,” Retters stated.
The DA proposed to bring the matter back to council once the existing water projects are completed and functional after July 2025, but was overruled by the ruling party.
During the sitting, the DA moved a motion with clear recommendations to address the water crisis, which will be opposed and debated in the next council sitting.
