Call for racecourse protest
THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) has issued a call to action to South Durban residents to fight the development of Clairwood Racecourse into a logistics hub.
A meeting to discuss the development of the racecourse into a logistics and trucking facility will take place at the racecourse on Tuesday, 22 October at 6pm in the Member’s Lounge at Clairwood Racecourse. SDCEA chairman, Desmond D’Sa has called for all stakeholders involved in the development to be present, along with residents who will be affected by the development, either positively or negatively.
The development of the 92-year-old racecourse, which has become a landmark in Clairwood and for some a sense of identity, has faced many detractors, with meetings being called throughout 2012 by local residents and organisations to bring it to a halt.
“It is currently the largest green space left in the area, but if this type of development goes ahead, the greenery will be destroyed. In its place, trucking facilities and other port-related services will be developed, further industrialising the South Durban Basin (SDB),” said Desmond.
Last year, Capital Property Fund bought the racecourse for R430m, with the intention of developing the 76ha of land into a warehouse and distribution centre at a cost of R2-billion for the proposed port developments. Since then, it has become one of the symbols of the proposed dug-out port, dividing residents. Many believe the development will bring much-needed jobs and infrastructure to the dilapidated area, while conversely others believe it will further degrade the area and increase pollution.
“Increased trucking brings with it an increase in taverns near distribution and trading centres, prostitution, drugs, increased road deaths (already there are 7,000 accidents involving trucks in eThekwini every year) and damage to infrastructure.
Thousands of residents commute through this area daily, not forgetting the many children who walk alongside these roads to and from school. It is a residential area and these aspects were not considered when they planned on bringing 2,200 trucks per hour through these, putting our lives at risk.
Citizens need to oppose this development or suggest a more sustainable plan for this development to ensure the SDB is not further infected with more pollution, industrialisation and chaotic trucking.”
Contact Desmond on 083-982-6939 or Roshan on 084-306-3267 for information.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
