Just when locals have come to terms with the town rapidly becoming a sinking ship, the Department of Co-operate
Governance & Traditional Affairs (COGTA) throws the town a lifeline.
SEE: Cogta MEC promises support to Bergville residents
Estcourt and Weenen are among a few other towns selected by COGTA to undergo much-needed development. For Estcourtonians, this news will be warmly welcomed.
The project is rolled out directly from COGTA and will focus on developing roads, businesses, agriculture, quarries, industry, hospitals, schools and dwellings, to name but a few.
It is currently in the drafting stages and will be carried out in various phases before completion. A meeting to discuss this project was held last week Thursday at the Estcourt Town Hall. Unfortunately, only five people attended.
Due to poor attendance and the main presenter stuck in traffic following an accident along the N3, the meeting was rescheduled for February 3 at the town hall, starting at 5pm. However, Environmental Assessment Practitioner Nathi
Ncube arrived and in the presence of Councillor Edith Lite (Ward 10) and Councillor Nkosinathi Mvelase, he spoke on the upgrade and construction of water supply infrastructure.
He informed the attendees that a new water supply system is set to be built next to the existing one. Mr Ncube explained that since the population of the town has grown over the years, the existing one is no longer sufficient
to service all the people. He added that this project is in the environmental authorisation process and has been requested by uThukela District Municipality to be rolled out as a matter of urgency.
No interruption of the existing water supply will occur; it is an all-new upgrade adjacent to the current one. A copy of the proposed upgrade of the Umtshezi Regional Bulk Water Supply Project and Draft Basic Assessment Report will be available at local libraries and the municipality to review.
The Draft Basic Assessment Report contains the environmental issues, public participation process, assessment of significance and various other important aspects. The councillors of the affected wards pledged to give this project 100 per cent support and welcomed it.
If you are a landowner and the current water lines run through your property, kindly collect a consent form from the Estcourt News office or contact the municipality, Ward 10 or Ward 17 councillors. Ratepayers, business people, schools, parents, religious heads and residents are all urged to attend the meeting next Monday.
SEE MORE: Today’s council meeting postponed to make way for Cogta workshop
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