RATEPAYERS’ organisations are encouraging the public to attend meetings and make their voice heard on the eThekwini Municipality’s process to seek public feedback regarding proposed changes to land use regulations in the Clairwood area.

The proposed changes include the rezoning to Special Zone 40: Logistics. The amendment would enable the area to be developed for logistics-related purposes.

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This change is intended to align with a Local Area Plan (LAP) that was adopted by the municipality in 2014. A LAP typically outlines detailed goals, strategies, and zoning rules for specific neighbourhoods, addressing how land should be used, developed, or managed.

All interested and affected parties are invited to provide their comment on the amendment.

However, ratepayers’ associations in Clairwood and from The Bluff are opposing the proposed amendment to the area.

Chairperson of the Bluff Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, Norman Gilbert, said the proposed rezoning of Clairwood could have devastating consequences for The Bluff community if it proceeds without their input.

“I strongly encourage the people to make their voice heard. Additionally, please take the opportunity to attend one of the three upcoming presentations hosted by the municipality. By participating in these discussions, we can ensure that our concerns are addressed and that the best interests of our community are represented,” said Gilbert.

“The situation in Clairwood appears to be a classic case of constructive eviction. The city’s failure to enforce by-laws has allowed the suburb to deteriorate into a deplorable state.

“Furthermore, I’m alarmed that if residents reject the proposal, the city might resort to using the recently passed Expropriation Act to forcibly remove them from their land. This would be devastating for the historic community of Clairwood, which has deep roots and cultural significance.

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“The city’s actions, or lack thereof, are not only eroding the community’s quality of life but also threatening their very existence. It’s imperative that we advocate for the rights and interests of Clairwood’s residents,” Gilbert added.

Clairwood has always been a mixed use area

According to the municipality, the purpose of the amendment is to create a quality environment in line with the City’s vision. This will ensure better management of the area.

In a statement, the municipality indicated that Clairwood has always been a mixed use area with industry surrounding a residential core. The intended masterplan looks to create uses that respond directly to the Port.

Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association raises objections

President of the Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents’ Association, Rishi Singh, said the proposed changes will have a drastic effect on the residents of Clairwood.

“Clairwood is a very small portion of the area which remains residential, and as most of it will be taken up by logistics and other undesirable business houses such as scrap metal recycling depot, tyre exchange depot and many more. Currently the area is infested with truck depots, very few are legal, because the council has given some of them special consent to trade. While other logistics owners decided to buy private land, erect illegal buildings and continue to trade illegally, the council is closing its eyes and ears to this type of behaviour. Hence our area is in a total mess, the people’s rights of Clairwood have been violated because of eThekwini’s current neglect of the area. The area is in a state of limbo,” Singh added.

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Head of the Development Planning and Environmental Management Unit, Lihle Phewa, said the area plays a significant role in the local, regional, national and international economy.

“The amended scheme will provide an adopted legal framework to assess future development applications against an adopted masterplan and zoning controls.

“It is important to record that the outcome of this process will not result in any development rights being granted to the subject properties, rather a development framework that will serve as the masterplan from which to assess and evaluate development applications,” said Phewa.

Phewa said the municipality is not rezoning land. Rather, as stated, the masterplan directs the developer and the Municipality to make informed decisions.

“We call on all affected and interested parties to engage with the document and submit their comments before the closing date in April. The City has allowed a 60-day time period for the comment period that is more than the stipulated period for this change in land use to allow enough time for engagement,” Phewa added.

Public consultations will continue in March

Public consultation meetings will be held on March 3 and March 8 at the Khalisha Community Centre, 20 Sir Kurma Reddi Road in Clairwood. The first meeting will be held at 18:00 to 19:30 and the last will be held from 9:00 to 13:00.

The public is encouraged to submit their objections until April 8.

Objections can also be sent to the Development Facilitation Department to the following address:

2nd Floor Room 203, City Engineers Building, 166 KE Masinga Road, Durban 4001, or email  noreply.dfdobjection@durban.co.za or contact Thobile Mlaba on 031 311 7876.

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