Derivco parking plan earns residents’ ire

THE proposed plan to build a 200 bay parking facility in La Lucia has earned the ire of local residents. They have cited a number of factors, including the increase in traffic congestion as well as the devaluing of properties on Shelbourne Avenue, which is where the proposed parking lot will be situated.

What’s more the project also encroaches a D’MOSS (Durban Metropolitan Open Space System) demarcated area.

The system was set up by the eThekwini Municipality and incorporates 74 000 hectares of land and water with areas of high biodiversity value linked together in a viable network of open spaces.

However, Johan Bodenstein, an environmental practitioner for Indiflora tasked with compiling the EIA on the plan, said D’MOSS areas were not exclusive or preclusive of any projects.

“The area for the parking facility is identified as a conservation area, but it does not preclude development. We have to ensure all the regulated requirements are met before making any decisions.

“The project is still in its infancy stages. People generally fear change and there have been instances in the past where things haven’t been done properly and where bad business practices were followed and the residents are associating that with the proposed plan,” Bodenstein.

A public meeting was held last week with all affected parties and stakeholders and Shelbourne Avenue residents voiced their unanimous disapproval for the plan.

Dean Davies, a local resident, said if the project was given the green light it would set a dangerous precedent to other businesses in the area.

“There is nothing stopping them from building further infrastructure once the land is destroyed and parking built. There’s also the impact on the conservancy and the destruction of wildlife habitat. The project will also mean a drastic devaluation of all of our properties with a parking lot replacing the forest.

“That’s not to mention the traffic congestion, and the insufficient infrastructure to cope with current volume, let alone another 200 cars during peak periods.”

Davies also cited the increase in noise pollution and possible crime levels as further reasons against the project.

“Many residents were assured on purchasing properties that the area is a D’MOSS zone,” he said.

Another local resident, Anthony Lavoipierre, also voiced his disapproval of the project, saying it was equally frightening considering the fact that Derivco have custodianship of the conservation area.

“Their infraction of environmental legislation implies that Derivco puts corporate needs ahead of the environment, and of its neighbours. We do not believe that Derivco will behave differently in future when their past action in destroying coastal forest, and allowing noise and unacceptable behaviour to escalate at the entrances to their call centre offices in Armstrong Avenue,” he said.