Everyone submitting building plans to the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) will soon be able to do this electronically.
A new digital platform introduced on 6 May, AFLA BPAMS, will transform the way the MMM receives and processes building plans and inspection requests.
Nicolette Maysiels, acting general manager of the MMM Communication unit, stated on Wednesday 8 April that this modernisation of service delivery within the building control environment forms part of a broader strategy to improve operational efficiency.
“The submissions platform will also reduce administrative delays and enhance transparency in the building plan approval process,” she said.
“The electronic submission system will streamline internal operations by reducing paper usage and physical storage requirements, while allowing for faster circulation of plans between key departments, including Building Control, Town Planning, Centlec and Fire Safety. Applicants will benefit from the ability to submit plans remotely, upload supporting documents digitally, make online payments and track the progress of applications in real time. The system will also enable users to request foundation, sewer and occupancy inspections online,” Maysiels explained.
Implementation done in phases
To ensure a smooth transition, the municipality has adopted a phased implementation approach. Public notifications and stakeholder engagement commenced in April, followed by an awareness and support period during the same month.
During this phase, user guidance documents, demonstration sessions and support assistance will be provided, particularly for architects, designers, developers and other building industry professionals.
A dual submission period will run from 6 May to 29 May, during which both manual and electronic submissions will be accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to migrate to the electronic platform as early as possible.
All applications submitted manually prior to the go-live date will continue to be processed manually until finalisation. Applicants will also be given the opportunity to transfer existing manual submissions to the electronic system should they wish to do so.
Deadlines set and support offered
Maysiels explained the manual building plan submissions would be fully phased out from 1 June, after which all new applications must be submitted electronically via the AFLA BPAMS platform.
In support of the rollout, the MMM will implement a comprehensive communication campaign, including media announcements, social media engagement and community outreach initiatives.
Online training sessions for architects, designers, developers, and other stakeholders will take place on 24 April, with registration accessible via a QR code.
“The benefits of the new system include improved turnaround times, enhanced record-keeping, reduced queues at municipal offices and strengthened compliance monitoring through a secure digital platform.
“The official go-live date of 6 May will be communicated through the Municipality’s official communication channels. All stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the training and awareness initiatives,” Maysiels said.
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