CAPITAL PROJECTS SUMMARY FROM IDP
6. Progress towards achieving the LED key objectives 1 Improve public and market confidence
For the past years the municipality has been successfully implementing internal and external funded projects and its continuous spending of budget resulted in the improvement of public perception and market confidence to the municipality. All the projects that were funded from external funding sources were implemented without problems and the Municipality had been able to properly account for those funds. The public plays a significant role in the identification, planning, decision making and implementation phases of the projects. Community members are beneficiaries in the projects. Community Consultation has been fundamental on all LED Programmes and LED initiatives that the Municipality has undertaken
The stability that the Municipality is enjoying, both politically and administratively has permitted the municipality to gain public confidence. The sitting of the LED Forums and Economic Infrastructure Clusters also plays s significant role in improving public confidence. Through assistance from Ntinga O.R .Tambo Development Agency the municipality has developed a Small Towns Revitalization strategy which seeks to attract investors.
A Local Economic Development Funding Policy has been developed.
6.2 Spatial Development Framework Plan (SDF)/Land use management system (LUMS) and Settlement Planning;
The Municipality’s Spatial Development Framework Plan is in place which was reviewed and adopted by Council in March 2011. A local Spatial Development Framework for Libode R61 Corridor and Ntlaza Junction has been developed and adopted by the Council.
Ngqeleni has a Council approved Local Spatial Development Framework which was funded by the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs. A Precinct Plan for Ngqeleni has been developed and approved by the Council funded the Department of Economic Development.
The municipality has further identified rural economic nodal points which have Local Spatial Development frameworks i.e. Canzibe and Ntlaza.
Mthatha Mouth and Mdumbi have been identified by DEDEAT for the development of a new town as such Local SDF has been developed, a feasibility study for the proposed town is complete.
6.3 Red tape reduction: Turn-around time for licensing and other business related application
121NYANDENI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
All Informal Traders trading in Nyandeni have identification cards. Licenses are being issues and valid for a period of a year renewable in July. An application for a business licence or hawker permit is considered within 3 months after submission. The LED section informs the applicant on whether the application is successful or not. The licence for a new application is payable for the duration of a year. Licence renewal is done on an annual basis. The Municipality designed Hawker identification cards issued upon licence renewal and will be used as identification cards amongst hawkers. Cards are issued to all permits and licences holders. Joint operations are being conducted by LED Department, Community Services, Environmental Health and Law Enforcement through the enforcement of by-laws. The exercise has resulted in the payment of business licences and trading permits and thus promoting a sustainable Informal Trading environment. Nodal economic areas are now paying licences.
With the promulgation and coming into being of SPLUMA all land development application will no longer be considered and approved by provincial department of Local Government, but will be done local through the municipal planning tribunal.
6.4 Investments and trading by-laws
An Investment Committee comprising of the Mayor, Portfolio Head Budget and Treasury, Portfolio Head Local Economic Development, the Municipal Manager and Senior Managers: Infrastructure and Planning and Development exists within the Municipality. Developers were invited to make a proposal for the development of an Office Park on municipal land, being Erf 1286, Libode and an appointment was consequently made. The Department of Health and Education have confirmed themselves as potential occupiers of this huge development. Also, proposals were invited for the relocation of Ngqeleni Stadium and development of a Retail Park at Ngqeleni. The Department of Public Works has commenced with the development of offices for the Department of Social Development at a portion of Erf 89, Libode.
The Municipality had developed and adopted the Concept for the development of Erf 88 in Libode into a commercial development.
Our Municipality/ also allocated Erf 124, Ngqeleni to Ngqeleni Taxi Association for the development of a fuel centre. This
development commenced during the current financial year (2015/ 2016 financial Year) and is expected to be completed in 2016/2017 financial year.
Our Department is currently implementing the following By-laws:-
• Street Trading By-law
• Public Space By-law, and
• Encroachment By-law
• Underdeveloped sites by-law
• Liquor trading by-law
The municipality has developed two new bylaws:
• Underdeveloped sites by-law
• Liquor trading by-law
6.5 Provision and maintenance of quality and reliable infrastructure: Roads;
ITC; market places.
Working jointly with Infrastructure Department, our Municipality is developing a Transport Hub in Libode, the project has been funded through MIG. Contractor is on site though delays have been experienced. An engineer and contractor have been appointed. The hub intends providing space for the taxi industry Informal trade infrastructure. Our Infrastructure Department has developed a maintenance plan for roads to LED and Tourism projects which will be maintained using plant and machinery at the disposal of the Municipality. Influences were also made to Infrastructure department to allocate more MIG funds for roads leading to LED and Tourism projects. The municipality through infrastructure department has developed an Integrated Transport and Roads Master plan
6.6 Disaster management within the context of conducive environment for economic development (policy /framework adoption and implementation);
Disaster Management is within the competence of O.R. Tambo District Municipality.
The district has developed a Disaster Management Plan which serves as a guide in ensuring that the environment is conducive for economic development. Further the district Municipality has housed a disaster office within our Municipality. During the incidents of disaster this satellite office assists officials from Municipal Human Settlement to conduct assessment of affected households. There is also budget provided by the Nyandeni local Municipality for intervention during occurrence of disasters. Awareness campaigns, assessments and response material are being provided. An amount of R27 million over a period of 3 years was approved by National Disaster Management Centre for disaster that occurred in April 2013.
a. Exploit comparative and competitive advantage for industrial activities
Our Municipality has got potential for industrial development due to large tracks of land at its disposal.
Our Comparative advantage includes vast tracks of arable and grazing land, unspoilt beaches and estuaries and new afforestation programme.
With regards to Coastal Area the municipality has developed a Local Spatial Development Framework for Mthatha Mouth/Mdumbi
The municipality has further developed a Retail Sector Strategy which will guide the development of the sector.
The newly developed Small Towns Revitalization Strategy also identifies key industrial programs for both towns.
An Agricultural Sector Plan which identifies seven areas of intervention that the municipality needs to tap into is in place.
A 100 hector farm in Makhotyana is being fenced to encourage farming activities The municipality has installed infrastructure for essential oils in Malungeni (irrigation system, engine plus fencing) and is conducting trials on essential plants production Mining is also a growing industry within the municipality and a resource to road construction and brick manufacturing. The municipality has also conducted a feasibility study on clay mining by means of tapping into commercial clay brick production and geo-tech study for clay mining has been conducted which confirms sufficient clay resources for commercial activities .
A forestry sector plan has been developed and approved by the Council. As part of implementing the forestry plan, a business plan for fruit trees production has been developed for Mhlanga CWP program.