Super billboard an eyesore for residents
The NEWS is in possession of the document that gives permission for the billboard to be constructed.
Although the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) has confirmed that it granted permission for a 90-metre billboard to be constructed at Gillooly’s Farm, its legality has been questioned (ALSO READ:Â Bedfordview billboard woes continue).
Speaking on behalf of the municipality, mayoral spokesperson, Mr Zweli Dlamini said in March that public participation is not a requirement in terms of the Ekurhuleni’s police services by-laws of 2003.
“EMM has approved the application to construct an advertising structure on Portion 988 of the Farm Elandsfontein 90-IR, known as Gillooly’s Farm,” he said in a statement.
The NEWS is in possession of the document that gives permission for the billboard to be constructed.
As far as public participation is concerned, Clr Hart said the public participation that is required is that of referring the application to the ward councillor for comment.
“Thus the councillor has the opportunity to discuss with his or her ward committee members and if felt necessary advertise the matter to the community for comment. This was not done. Clr Humphreys was not asked to comment. Thus the community have not been given an opportunity to raise their concerns, which should certainly have been done with something of this nature,” said Clr Hart.
Mr Dlamini said an opportunity was given to Clr Humphreys to comment.
“The ward councilor for ward 20 [Clr Humpreys] was requested on numerous occasions to render comments, to no avail,” he said.
Clr Humphreys said she has proof that the request for comment was sent to the wrong ward and not to her.
“I have a mandate to uphold the by-laws and because of the structure’s size and intensity, there is no way I would ignore an opportunity to give comment,” said Clr Humphreys.
Communication between officials forwarded to the NEWS revealed that the position [on which it is constructed] is within a Rand Water servitude.
Mr Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson, said billboard was approved in June 2015 by the City of Ekurhuleni’s City Planning Department guided by the terms of the provisions of the Ekurhuleni Police Services Bylaw (2003) Chapter IV. “Therefore the correct processes were followed upon approving the structure at Gillooly’s,” said Mr Gadebe.
ALSO READ
Traffic diverted as court orders removal of illegal billboard on Van Buuren
Residents concerned about billboard application
