City responds to revitalisation masterplan delays

THE City of uMhlathuze has responded regarding delays in the implementation of the Empangeni CBD Revitalisation Plan (Masterplan).

Last week the ZO reported on wasteful expenditure by the city after it was revealed that a tender was awarded to a Durban-based company, Iyer Urban Design Studios, to design two projects for the city which were never implemented.

However, according to city spokesperson Mdu Ncalane, all contractual and financial aspects of the contact/appointment was done by the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and not the city itself.

‘During July 2010, KZN CoGTA approached the uMhlathuze Municipality to support its initiative of formulating the KwaZulu-Natal Urban Development Framework Manual.

‘This was successfully completed in July 2011.

‘During May 2012, KZN CoGTA informed the municipality of funding available to appoint consultants that could assist in the implementation of the framework manual,’ Ncalane said.

‘The municipality was requested to identify a project that will be in line with the framework guidelines.

‘To this end, the Department City Development identified the preparation a Revitalisation Plan for the Empangeni CBD, which was subsequently supported and approved by CoGTA.

‘Subsequently, KZN CoGTA requested proposals from suitably qualified and experienced service providers for the preparation of the Empangeni CBD Revitalisation Plan.

‘Following the evaluation of the proposals received, Council was advised on 7 December 2012 that a service provider was appointed via the COGTA Supply Chain Management Unit to prepare the Empangeni CBD Revitalisation Plan for the uMhlathuze Municipality.

‘All contractual and financial aspects of the contact/appointment were done by KZN CoGTA,’ Ncalane said.

‘Regarding the conceptual redesign of the Richards Bay Steel Bridge, Council appointed a service provider in October 2014 following a tender process, to prepare a conceptual redesign of the bridge.

‘The project was duly completed and presented to the relevant Portfolio and Exco and Council structures from November 2015 to January 2016.

Funding from a KZN CoGTA grant was utilised for this project,’ said Ncalane.

Iyer Urban Design Studios is said to have been paid an exorbitant amount of money to draw up a revitalisation plan for Empangeni’s CBD in 2013, as well as the conceptual redesign of the Richards Bay Waterfront Steel Bridge in 2014.

Business owners have long queried these projects which have been earmarked for the city – something the city says is now being prioritised.

‘The Empangeni CBD plan includes an implementation plan with key projects.

‘The implementation of the plan has been piloted with the refurbishment of Lot 63 that is at an advanced stage of completion.

‘The roll out of more projects from this implementation plan has been prioritised, which will be mainly investment on public infrastructure.

‘The municipality will continue to engage property owners and businesses for the various precincts in Empangeni as we have done during the implementation of Lot 63.’

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