uMhlanga resident leads ratepayers’ revival

AN uMhlanga resident has begun a process to reform and revive the uMhlanga Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (URRA).

At the beginning of March, Terri MacLarty, a resident and homeowner, held a public meeting in the area to test the appetite for a ratepayers’ association.

The meeting saw 70 people attend and a further 300 join a WhatsApp group to be part of a united voice for the residents of uMhlanga.

MacLarty, along with a group of residents, now intends to form and register the association and set out a constitution for the ratepayers’ association.

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“This was something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. There was a question at the recent public participation meeting regarding the Oceans Development and whether the area had a ratepayers’ association, and I informed the residents of the meeting and the plan to reform one. I invited a member of the Dolphin Coast Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (DOCRRA) to attend our first meeting to give us a brief background on their successful interventions with Council.

“I was very pleased with the turnout and the subsequent support for the association. We also have the full backing of ward councillor Nicole Bollman who has offered to assist us. At the moment, we are creating a set-up committee to set out the constitution and code of conduct. No one has been officially elected in any positions as yet, and we still have to register the association. We feel the one way to tackle the issues affecting uMhlanga is through a united voice,” she said.

MacLarty added that some of the challenges and concerns around the area included sewage leaks, the closure of the beaches, water leaks and streetlight outages.

If you would like to find out how to get involved, call 083 635 3539.

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