Budget allocated for uMhlanga tidal pool
The much-maligned tidal pool idea is back on the table after city budget allocates money towards the project.
UMHLANGA ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, has expressed his unhappiness with the allocation of funds for an EIA into the uMhlanga tidal pool for the next three years in the budget. The budget hearing was held at the Greenwood Park Hall last week.
“What I am disappointed in is the fact that the proposal makes allocation for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) into the uMhlanga tidal pool, which residents and businesses are against. The budget includes money for the project for the next three years. A tidal pool in uMhlanga never made sense, especially when the money could be better spent on houses for the poor,” he said.
“Some of the positives is the city will be looking at implementing traffic calming on Glen Anil Street, Portland Drive and Lagoon Drive. There are also a number of projects that the city will be involved in in the new town centre in uMhlanga, particularly with all the infrastructure going up and the overpass from Cornubia into uMhlanga.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said while several residents have called for speed-calming measures on certain roads in Durban North, the budget for Ward 36 makes no provisions for traffic calming.
“I think the budget for my ward is looking a little threadbare. There are no provisions for speed humps or traffic-calming measures, despite several requests for them on roads like Mackeurtan Avenue, for example. It doesn’t make much sense to me. I’m pleased that some of the budget is going towards the upgrade of the gardens, but overall it’s a big disappointment. Durban North is one of the largest contributors to the rates base and this budget offers them very little,” he said.
