Bitou municipality agrees with provincial human settlement development plan

Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers says he is pleased that the Bitou Municipality has finally agreed with the housing development plans for their area.  

Minister Simmers said: “We’ve had unnecessary delays in finalising a process that could’ve concluded earlier, particularly since what we have been proposing will now continue. I trust that there will be no further attempts to derail this process, as all stakeholders, including the municipality’s executive is now on board. I commend the Qolweni and New Horizon community leadership for being steadfast in seeking to ensure that the initial plans are implemented, as agreed to with my office.”

During a meeting on 17 October 2019 with Department officials and the area’s relevant stakeholders, the following resolutions were taken:

1. The completion of 36 units out of the 169, by end March 2020 still stands. This will be subject to the profiling exercise and conclusion of the movement plan which all the stakeholders would have to agree to.
2. Pertaining to Qolweni and Bossiesgif, between now and 31 October, the Provincial Department, the Municipality and the leadership of Qolweni and Bossiesgif will work together to profile the people that are residing on the area where the 169 houses are to be built.
3. Pursuant to the completion of the aforementioned, a meeting will be reconvened to finalise movement plan and implementation time frames for the construction of the 36 units by March 2020 and the balance of 133 by December 2020.
4. The Department supports the plan that is brought forward insofar as starting with servicing a portion of the Ebenhaeser site, where we’ve reiterated that the erection of 400 TRA’s on this site is not on the plan. 
5. The Department is committing to develop the full 1600 units, along with the budget, so that the mixed use development as per the approved layout plan can commence. Initially it was estimated that this development would deliver 1470 opportunities, but after a technical assessment this has increased to 1600. This demonstrates our willingness to find further opportunities, so that more people are able to benefit from developments. We want to ensure that the plight of the people that are either waiting in the backyard or with relatives is dealt with. It was further confirmed that the proposed development will also offer opportunities to people that will not qualify for the BNG houses, specifically people who earn between R3501 and R22 000. Impact assessments were completed at the end of September 2019.
6. As R21,6m is required for the bulk infrastructure, the Municipality will have to submit applications to funding sources like the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). The Department is willing to assist should there be a shortfall.

“I’d like to encourage all residents of this municipal area to participate in our housing demand database verification and registration drive over the weekend of 16 – 17 November when we’ll be in the Garden Route District. 

The human settlements portfolio is a concurrent function, provincially and it is vital that prolific intergovernmental relations between province and local authorities exist, so that our people can optimally benefit.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society, added Simmers.”