Plans to drive Pinetown into a new era
The municipality will be hosting workshops for residents and business owners to have their say in the developments.
ESCALATING crime in Pinetown, taxis and the dearth of parking spaces were among the problems raised by residents, CPF members and business owners at a Go!Durban meeting to discuss future planning and consultation for the development of an upgraded Pinetown CBD precinct.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the broad planning for the urban design upgrades for the Pinetown CBD and for an Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) and explain the consultation process for public input about these upgrades and renewal plans, linked to the public transport system.
The city said it has many plans to make Pinetown a nice, liveable place for everyone as it connects many areas and there are many businesses there.
“Pinetown CBD is important to the city as it is home to a diverse economy. It is a place of employment, residence, schooling, sports, culture and history. It is also located in the first corridor of Go!Durban,” said architecture, Nic Combrink.
“There are many developments planned for Pinetown roads to be access-friendly and safe for people to walk to the buses. We are also looking at upgrading the pavements so people can travel using bicycles. There are many historic monuments in Pinetown and that should be used as an advantage to draw people into the area.”
Combrink said there are also plans to improve Lahee Park. “It should not only be used for sport but there should be other activities and entertainment there.”
There were talks of an upgrade along the M7; plans to improve the road capacity from Bamboo Lane to Josiah Gumede by introducing dedicated turning lanes, restricting Church Lane and Payne Street to, left in and left out, and possibly upgrading Church Lane to have two-way roads.
This service is expected to kick off shortly and is estimated to be completed by September this year.
UIP proposal
During the meeting Soobs Moonsamy presented the broad planning for the urban design upgrade for the Pinetown CBD and for a UIP. Florida Road in Durban was one of the examples used to show the success of the UIP.
A UIP will be established to increase the commercial property values, fixe signposts, remove graffiti and persuade the municipality to invest in broken infrastructure.
“The problems experienced in Pinetown needs a collective, quick response and innovation, There needs to be an accountable approach and demands of standards from the municipality.”
For the UIP to be possible, 51 per cent of the property owners must give their approval and note there will be additional rates
She said in October 2016, the city canvassed a small group of businesses to consider the benefits of a UIP.
“Some 15 property owners and businesses assisted by Sapoa, the inner west chamber and the municipality agreed to work on establishing a UIP. This group of businesses selected an interim committee to conduct a feasibility study.”
The UIP proposal did not sit well with some people as they questioned whether this was the city’s way of dodging its responsibilities and making residents pay more rates.
Other residents asked about how the committee was selected without the knowledge of all the residents and business owners.
Consultation process going forward
To change Pinetown for the better, the city will be hosting workshops and will invite businesses and residents from that particular area to participate and have a say on what should happen in their area.
Thursday, 23 March – Introducing the Regent Station Urban redevelopment and consultation process.
Tuesday, 9 May (Proposed) Public consultation or workshop, Josiah Gumede precint.
Tuesday, 6 June (proposed) workshop for Bevis Station node.
Wednesday, 7 June (proposed) workshop for Moody Station node.
Thursday, 8 June (proposed) workshop for Pinetown Civic node.
Workshops for Lahee Park and Pinetown Station Nodes still to be scheduled.
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