Community outrage over proposed ‘Clairwood Logistics Park’

Residents of Clairwood have been left frustrated following the eThekwini Municipality’s proposal to rezone the area to allow for a logistics park.

At a public meeting on Monday, residents said they feared the negative impact of the rezoning on the already failing infrastructure and service delivery in the community.

According to the notice of public meetings issued by the city, they were seeking to amend the eThekwini municipal land use scheme: central sub-scheme by the introduction of a new zone to be known as "special zone 40: Clairwood Logistics Park" and associated masterplan for the study area.

This, they said, would give effect to the Local Area Plan (LAP) adopted by the city in 2014.

Residents said they feared they may be forced to move out of their homes, many of which were built by their forefathers, who came as indentured labourers to South Africa.

Nafiza Alli, 56, of Sirdar Road, said she was concerned that they would be forced to leave.

“While they are saying we won’t have to leave, residents are already frustrated with the high number of trucking businesses on our doorstep. We feel there will be no other alternate but to move out when more trucks come into the area,” she said.

“Imagine how much more the area will deteriorate. Our current infrastructure, including our roads, pavements, and manholes, have been damaged due to the trucks that are not meant to be travelling on residential roads. When we contact the municipality to repair them, nothing is done for months. We are ratepayers, so what is our money being used for?” she said.

Alli said the area also had many historical buildings.

“We have a temple, which is over 100 years old, as well as mosques and churches. Will these be flattened too? The city has told us to read a document detailing their plans, but not everyone can understand what they may consider to be straight up and down.

“I feel they should remove all of these trucking and other illegal businesses from the area, and let us go back to living our lives. We will not move from our homes.”

Pravin Nansook, 67, of Cherry Road, said the proposal for a logistic park was due to the failure of the city to stop the influx of trucks from coming into the area.

“About 30 years ago, they put up notices that truck owners would be prosecuted for using the roads in Clairwood, but they never put this into action. Now they don't know how to rectify their failures, and are suggesting a logistics park at our expense.

“My grandfather was an indentured worker, who built his home here. We have spent our entire lives here, having made so many memories, and now they think they can rob us of this. We will not allow it to happen. We will continue to fight to stay in our homes and not allow it to be taken over by any trucking business,” he said.

Ravin Brijlal, 63, of Amber Road, said prior to the trucking businesses in the area, residents could walk freely through the streets.

He is also the public relations officer for the Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association.

“There was never a fear of us or our children being knocked or killed by a speeding truck on our residential roads. We could sleep peacefully as there were no containers being dropped at all hours of the night. Our walls and the ground are now cracking. We also didn’t have many service delivery issues that we are faced with now. In addition, we have various religious buildings, as well as a cemetery that is maintained by the community. Will they be destroyed?

“We see this move by the city as a final attempt to get us out of the area. In addition, they want us to read a document, which is over 500 pages within a short space of time. This is not fair. While many residents have left the area, the die-hard ones are still here and we will continue to fight for Clairwood to remain a residential area,” he said.

Lihle Phewa, the head of the city's development planning and environmental management unit, said the purpose of the amendment was to create a “quality environment in line with the city's vision”.

“This will ensure better management of the area. Clairwood has always been a mixed use area with industry surrounding a residential core. The intended masterplan looks to create uses that respond directly to the port. The city aims to ensure that all land uses in the area are done legally and within the ambit of the relevant regulations, making it a safe, manageable space for all users.

“It should be noted that the area plays a significant role in the local, regional, national, and international economy. Importantly, the amended scheme will provide an adopted legal framework to assess future development applications against an adopted masterplan and zoning controls," he said.

Phewa said the Spatial Planning and Land-Use Management (SPLUMA) application was a translation of the already adopted LAP.

“It looks at the proposed adoption of a masterplan for the area, as well as a zone that will assist the decision maker in delivering this vibrant and important project for the city.”

He said logistics parks across the globe demonstrate efficient spaces for the movement of goods and services.

“Distribution and break bulk are very much part of logistics parks, and the Clairwood proposal is no different. Logistics parks are not just distribution/warehouse centres. Proper spatial planning may include a variety of land uses and provide a sustainable space that allows people to live, work and play.

“The city has used the term ‘Freight Village Concept’ as this enables a Logistic Village with ancillary complimentary facilities and services, that may include residential, parks, worship sites, offices,and restaurants, all of which work in synergy," he said.

Phewa added that all affected and interested parties should engage with the document and submit their comments before the closing date on April 8.

He said the city had allowed a 60-day time period for public engagement.

The document can be found on https://www.durban.gov.za/pages/residents/lums-adverts.

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