THE approval of the Spatial Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) by-law by the council of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is a major step towards compliance with national legislation.
Executive mayor, Retief Odendaal, said that this means that municipal officials, responsible for spatial planning and land use management, now have clear directives on how the national legislation must be implemented locally, and this goes a long way to ensuring that Nelson Mandela Bay truly is open for business.
“We were way behind, since the SPLUMA Act came into effect almost eight years ago. This bylaw simultaneously repeals outdated planning and land-use management directives.
“Last week’s decision not only brings us up to speed, but it is also the end of an exhaustive participation process to ensure that critical role-players were able to provide input. Several media, communication and engagement platforms were also used to announce the by-law, and its importance to enable the municipality to plan developments and the growth of our city more strategically.
Mayoral committee member for Human Settlements, Councillor Tukela Zumani said that the by-law determines timeframes to developers and the municipality alike, as well as clearly spelling out the steps necessary to avoid bottlenecks and unnecessary delays in land use and planning applications.
“The by-law guides the implementation of a Municipal Planning Tribunal and its co-ordination, amongst others,” said Zumani.
Council gave the city manager authority to ensure that the by-law is published in the Eastern Cape Gazette. On the date of publication, the new legislation will come into effect.
– ISSUED BY THE NELSON
MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY
