Where'd our muni properties go?!

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plett Ratepayers Association and members of the public have questioned the sale of 17 properties owned by the municipality, stating that insufficient time has been given to lodge objections and make comments.

Residents and ratepayers have taken to Facebook to rally support to oppose the sale.

Bitou Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani published the notice in a local advertising freesheet, What's New in Plett, on 16 March, giving the public 14 days to respond.

The standard time is 30 days, said Steve Pattinson, chairman of the Plett Ratepayers Association.

"More importantly, their notice of intent was not broadly communicated and there is insufficient time for us to respond properly. Some of those properties are open public spaces which need to be cherished and maintained."

He said the 14 days are totally inadequate for the public participation process and for a well-considered response, which raises questions as to why it is being pushed through so quickly.

"We have asked the mayor and municipal manager to allow for a proper and comprehensive participation process and to extend the deadline, but we are not optimistic at this stage."

Properties

The properties include a children's play-ground at the corner of Longships and Jument, a public open space at the corner of Longships and Fowley Rock, and Longstone Drive in front of Quik-Spar, plus a portion of the adjoining park.

These are Ward 2 public open spaces that the public has been able to enjoy for over 60 years, "and now they intend to sell them without telling us why and how the sale process will happen", said Pattinson.

A number of other properties in New Horizons, Kurland and Kranshoek are also affected, and the association is conferring with the affected communities.

Plett Ratepayers Association Chairman Steve Pattinson

Broad implications

The association says the issue is more than time, however. "The disposal of public land has broad implications for the residents of the wards. This cries out for input from the public, most of whom are unaware," said Pattinson.

"Disposing of public land is complex and requires comprehensive consultation with ward committees and interested and affected parties (IAPs) including current land users and, where applicable, adjoining neighbours. That is the minimum requirement for any other IAP process by a developer.

"In this case the municipality, in effect, holds these properties in trust for the residents and has a responsibility to those residents. We are concerned that the municipality has not done sufficient research into these properties."

He said the municipality's course of action does not engender trust. Residents' rights to the continued enjoyment of parks, and in some instances, the rights of certain properties and their values, are affected.

The notice called for comments and concerns to be submitted by the end of Thursday 30 March. It can be emailed to: sdupreez@plett.gov.za, or be hand-delivered to the Planning and Building Control centre at Melville's corner.

The association has urged people commenting or objecting to also send their correspondence to the mayor at dswart@plett.gov.za and the municipal manager at mmemani@plett.gov.za.

By the time of going to print, Bitou Municipality had not responded to questions from KPH pertaining to the matter.

Bitou Municipality's offices in Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Blake Linder