At a Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee meeting held on 10 February 2015, the following items were supported and recommended to the Executive Committee for final approval:
UMHLANGA RIDGE TOWN CENTRE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE GETS AN UPGRADE
EThekwini Municipality will commission the upgrade of the road infrastructure in the Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre. The upgrade is necessary to support development in the area and address the existing traffic congestion.
Implementation of the upgrade will be done in a phased approach. The first phase will include a GO!Durban bus rapid transport route between Bridge City and Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre.
Head of EThekwini Transport Authority Thami Manyathi said the route will provide an alternate access to the centre thereby assisting with traffic congestion and traffic loading distribution in the area.
Some other key road infrastructure improvements include:
- The upgrading of Umhlanga Rocks Drive to six lanes including the conversion of traffic circles to traffic signals between the M41 and Herrwood Drive.
- Upgrading of Umhlanga Rocks Drive to a four dual lane carriageway between Herrwood Drive and the M4.
- The upgrading of Herrwood Drive to four lanes between Umhlanga Rocks Drive and Autum Drive.
CONVERSION OF THE STAR SEASIDE CHILDREN’S HOME AND THE TABLE TENNIS BUILDING INTO SOCIAL HOUSING UNITS
The City will convert two council-owned dilapidated buildings into social housing units.
The two properties, in Playfair Road, North Beach and in Epsom Road, Greyville, have been identified for conversion as they are located within close proximity to the beachfront, Durban Train Station and the City Centre.
Conversion of the two properties for social housing will assist in providing much-needed residential opportunities for low income households to have access to housing opportunities and socio-economic resources within the City.
The Municipality has undertaken to provide and make rental accommodation accessible for low income groups who cannot afford the private sector rental market.
The developments will consist of bachelor, one-bedroomed and two-bedroomed self-contained units. While all possibilities of high-rise development will be explored, the full development potential of the properties will be subject to the outcome of a detailed feasibility study.
The development will also prevent the properties from being invaded by vagrants or nests for breeding crime and other illegal activities.
WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR AREAS SUPPLIED BY UMNGENI RIVER SYSTEM
The Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee noted a report which is a directive from the Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation that water restrictions will be imposed in areas supplied by the Umgeni River system.
The following restrictions are to be implemented with immediate effect to all areas supplied by the Umgeni River system as well as all of eThekwini Metro with the exception of the areas supplied by Hazelmere Dam.
The restrictions are as follows:
- Restrict domestic and industrial use by 15 percent of the annual target draft and;
- Restrict irrigation use by 50 percent of the annual target draft.
Water restrictions have already been imposed in the northern parts of Durban in areas supplied by Hazelmere Dam. Residents are urged to reduce water consumption in line with the above percentages.
