UMHLANGA NODE PRECINCT
PRECINCT PLAN PREPARATION
SITUATION ANALYSIS STAGE
REPORT ON THE 1ST PUBLIC MEETING
HELD ON 23 JULY 2007
VENUE:
SHARKS BOARD AUDITORIUM, HERRWOOD DRIVE, UMHLANGA
TIME:
18H00 – 20H00
PRESENT:
Name
Logie Naidoo
Rory McPherson
Mxolisi Ndzimbovu
Vicky Sim
Andrew Mather
Peter von Brandis
Helene Epstein
Gerald Clarke
Derek White
Sibusiso Buthelezi
Marcel Zimmerman
Monica Albonico
Ameena Desai
Tindall Kruger
Martin Mzumara
Dennis Nkosi
Riaan Botes
Craig Simmer
Carl Eaton
Des Tobin
H. Eugen
E.C. Engel
Kim Jordan
Lee Duigley
Hermen Wright
T. Moodley
Celeste Stretch
Mervyn Sanders
Annette Koch
Company/Organisation/Resident
Deputy Mayor - Ethekwini Municipality
Umhlanga Rocks Councillor (ward 35)
Umhlanga Rocks Councillor (ward 58)
eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Water & Sanitation
eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Municipality
Swakoteka Development Solutions
ASM Architects and Urban Designers
ASM Architects and Urban Designers
ASM Architects and Urban Designers
StratPlan
ASM Architects and Urban Designers
StratPlan
GDS
Iliso Consulting
Notae Group
URAG
ULTRA
Resident
Cathy Place B+B
URSL
Hermen Wright Consulting
SAPS
URAG & Resident
Resident
Resident
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
Page 1 of 7
Name
Pranesh Sukhdeo
Annie Barnard
Edward Scott
Scott Sowman
Peter Nelson
Keith Kitching
Rory Wilkinson
G. Moore
Roy Lawson
Viv Lawson
Steve Monsamy
Hein Hattingh
Geoff Pullan
Toney Barlolanand
Ken Duveen
Dick Greef
Sue Clark
Isabelle Luker
Jimmy Diamond
Stan and Ann Bromley
Brian Wright
David Wightman - Love
Trevor Botsis
Cairne Pretorius
R. Payn
B. Brorkwer
E. Hulbert
A. Hulbert
A. Cousins
Mike Fraser
W. Yoove Meyer
Sean Phendergost
Tessa Douglas
G. Haylott
Paul Wheaton
Ken Parsons
Company/Organisation/Resident
Breakers Resort
Resident
Malindi
Umhlanga Lifesaving Club
36 degrees
V.I.P resident
Tongaat Hulett Developments
Resident
Resident
Resident
Seeff Properties
Alliance Group
Councillor
Resident
San Marina
San Marina
PUT
Resident
Umhlanga Sands/ Cabana Beach
Resident
Village UIP
Resident
Pearls of Umhlanga
Company and Resident
Chartwell Centre
Resident
Resident
Resident
Mirage
W.A. Meyer
Umhlanga Promenade UIP Manager
Resident
Private
Resident
Private
1. AGENDA
1.1. WELCOME
1.1.1.
Opening the Meeting
1.1.2.
Statement of Support from the Municipality (Deputy Mayor)
1.1.3.
Attendance Register And Apologies
1.2. AGENDA REVIEW AND GROUND RULES
1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
1.4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (Project Manager – Vicky Sim)
1.4.1.
Project Background
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
Page 2 of 7
1.4.2.
TOR, Project Role, benefits, and Study Area
1.4.3.
Appointed Professional Team
1.5. PROPOSED PROJECT APPROACH, PROGRAM AND DELIVERABLES
1.6. PUBLIC COMMENT AND INPUT PERIOD
1.6.1.
Perceptions, views and concerns re. current development trends (new
investments)
1.6.2.
Priority Development issues and needs for the precinct
1.7. COMMENTS ABOUT THE ORGANISATION OF THE MEETING
1.8. WAY FORWARD
1.9. NEXT PUBLIC MEETING AND VENUE
2. WELCOME
2.1. Opening of the Meeting
2.1.1.
The meeting was opened at 18h00 and all the people who attended,
including the Ward 35 Councillor - Rory Macpherson and the Deputy Mayor and
Chair of the ECOD Committee - Logie Naidoo, were welcomed. The Deputy
Mayor was then invited to present his statement of support for the project
2.2. Statement of Support for the project
2.2.1.
Councillor Logie Naidoo emphasised that the precinct plan is expected to
provide a development vision for the node and to ensure that the Umhlanga is
linked and integrated with the Greater Umhlanga Ridge so that the sub-region
functions in synergy.
2.2.2.
The Councillors also stated that the public participation process is important
and that public input is considered integral to the success of the process.
2.3. Attendance Register
2.3.1.
All who attended were asked to make sure that they sign the attendance
register.
3. AGENDA REVIEW AND GROUND RULES
3.1. The agenda of the meeting was explained together with the ground rules of the
meeting.
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
Page 3 of 7
4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING

To inform the local community of the precinct planning process

Existing Situation Analysis Stage

To get local community’s concerns, opinions and perceptions about the current
development trends and the future of the precinct (new investments into the
area)

To get comments and input on priority development issues and needs for the
precinct

To get comments from the local community of the required development
interventions and improvements in the public environment

This is the first of 3 public meetings to be held
5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Vicky Sim (the Client’s Project Manager for the project) introduced the professional
team and presented the background and motivation for the preparation of the
precinct plan (refer to presentation attached at Annexure 1). The study area was
outlined together with the envisaged role and benefits of the precinct plan.

The professional team was presented as comprising the following disciplines:
o
Urban designers and Architects (ASM Architects + Urban Designers)
o
Project Manager and Stakeholder manager (Swakoteka Development
Solutions)

o
Traffic and Civil Engineers (Iliso Consulting)
o
Economic Development and Town Planning (StratPlan)
Vicky Sim also explained that the work that has already been done in the area
including the Umhlanga Node Study will form the basis for the preparation of the
precinct plan. A copy of the Executive Summary of the Umhlanga Node Study is
attached at Annexure 2.
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
Page 4 of 7
6. PROPOSED PROJECT APPROACH, PROGRAM AND DELIVERABLES

The program for the project was presented and summarised as having 5 milestones
with the dates as follow:
Milestone
Deliverable
Delivery Date
1.
Project Inception
12 July 07 – 22 July 07
2.
Situation Analysis
25 June 07 – 31 July 07
3.
Precinct Framework
23 July 07 – 05 Sept. 07
4.
Precinct Plan
30 Aug. 07 – 19 Sept. 07
5.
Implementation & Financing
20 Sept. 07 – 18 Oct. 07
Strategy
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND INPUT

The municipal councillors present committed to an integrated study that places
Umhlanga Node in its wider context. It is also to establish linkages with the all
developments and initiatives in greater Umhlanga, so that the sub-region functions in
synergy.

The councillors also stated that the public participation process is important and that
public input is considered integral to the success of the process.

Umhlanga Node Study 2005/6 – this was placed in context by Vicky Sim. There were
requests for this to be released to the public. (NOTE: A copy of the Executive Summary
of the Umhlanga Node Study is attached at Annexure 2).

Proposed height restriction to 20 stories and that all FAR remain 0.9 (general support for
less development, not more). Definition of a storey must be clearly defined; and where
the storey starts (existing regulations). Also the edge of the sea angle to determine
height is supported.

Structure plan 20 years ago proposed that “densification” should take place on the
ridge; which is now happening. The aim was to leave the area between the M4 and
the sea as 0.9; and direct all further development on to the ridge. This strategy was
reiterated at the meeting.
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
Page 5 of 7

There are many areas in the node which are ‘parking garages’ with magnificent views;
such development is inappropriate.

Community opinion opposes the Pearls obtaining more development rights.

New developments should make development contributions towards the upgrade of
infrastructure and the public environment.

Request for more open space, indigenous plants and more gardens.

The existing public environment is filthy; current departments are providing insufficient
service (cleansing, traffic, poster control) in terms of the general management of the
public environment. It is a “two-bit town that is falling apart”. Public environment
requires to be further upgraded.

Council development of Chartwell precinct was lauded; but stated that further such
development is needed.

Traffic is a major problem: access, congestion and speeding; as well as double parking
etc. No regard of traffic laws and lack of enforcement. There is a lack of parking.

The existing taxi and bus rank is an issue and eyesore. It was stated that this brings crime
to the area. A proper facility is required; with a proper location- off site. This should not
be a holding area, but people should be dropped and picked up at convenient
locations throughout the node.

Life saver facilities and emergency services are totally inadequate, particularly during
peak times. These require urgent attention for upgrading.

A fully fledged police station was requested; the existing satellite police station is
inadequate.

Safety and security is a major issue, with general lawlessness.

Durban View Park parking area, being expanded into the park; this is unacceptable.
Can the team please find out what is happening?

It is proposed that the node become a poster advertising free zone; currently poster
advertising clutters everything and is unsightly.

It was requested that UKUSA be held to its promise of providing a public parking area
under the proposed park within their development. It was also stated that the Pearls is
providing public parking.

Infrastructure services are running way behind the developments that are taking place.
This is resulting in a breakdown of basic services.

It was suggested that a moratorium be placed on new development; i.e. those
applying for additional rights to their existing rights.

It was stressed that the team take the proposed Integrated Coastal Management Act
– which is still currently a bill - into consideration.

The UIP was supported; and the issue of overall urban management stressed as
needed for the node.
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
Page 6 of 7

Communication between the team and the public was considered to be a key factor
in moving forward. It was suggested that information be placed on the eThekwini
website for easy access. Furthermore the municipal newspaper Metro beat should be
utilised to spread information. Even post-box distribution was suggested; however this
was not well received.

An integrated emergency management services centre was proposed for the Greater
Umhlanga area.

Access to and walking within the Umhlanga Lagoon Wildlife Reserve has become
dangerous due to muggings - i.e. safety and security is a major problem. Also the
boardwalks within this area have begun to disintegrate; there is lack of maintenance
and upkeep.

The overall community “vision” expressed at the meeting is for development to remain
as it is, and by implication any future additions/development is opposed.
8. COMMENTS ABOUT THE ORGANISATION OF THE MEETING

The attendees were asked if they were happy with the announcement and
arrangement of the public meeting. No comments were received.
9. WAY FORWARD

Any additional comments and input can be sent to
•
Vicky Sim (Client Project Manager)
•
e-mail: simv@durban.gov.za)
•
Fax:
031- 311 7279
•
Tel:
031- 311 7194
•
Notes and outcomes of the meeting will be accessible in the Ethekwini website.
•
In the next meeting the city and project team will present how the comments and
input have been utilized.
•
The next Meeting will focus on stage 3 of the project (Precinct Plan including the
development vision)
10. NEXT PUBLIC MEETING AND VENUE

Date of the next public meeting and venue will be announced at the appropriate
time.
Umhlanga Node Precinct Plan
ASM Consortium
1st Broader Stakeholder Meeting
23 July 2007
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