THE Clairwood Ratepayers and Residents Association (CRRA) have called on the community to object to a proposal to rezone the area to allow for a logistics park.

The CRRA shared a post on social media titled "Help! Save Clairwood, Save Our Religious Sites."

It read: “You took away our roads, you took away our homes, you destroyed what was once a vibrant community. Now you want to interfere with our religious sites. All residents of Clairwood, past and present, let's stand united against this dastardly move. Help us save our heritage, culture and religion.”

Last month, the eThekwini Municipality held a public meeting to address the residents about the proposal.

The notice of public meetings issued by the city, they are 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, will give effect to the Local Area Plan (LAP) adopted by the city in 2014.

At the time, residents who spoke to the POST said it was a massive blow as they raised concerns about the further impact it would have on the failing infrastructure and service delivery. They said it would also destroy its heritage sites.

Ravin Brijlal, the public relations officer of the CRRA, said prior to the overtake of trucking businesses, residents could walk freely through the streets.

“There was never a fear of being knocked and killed by a speeding truck on our residential roads. We could sleep peacefully as there were no containers being dropped at all hours. Our walls and the ground are now cracking. We also didn’t have many service delivery issues.

“In addition we have various religious buildings, as well as a cemetery that is maintained by the community. Will they be destroyed?”

A resident said: “We have a temple that is more than 100 years old, as well as mosques and churches. Will these be flattened too? They told us to read an over 500 page document detailing their plans, but not everyone can understand what they may consider to be ‘straight up and down’."

Another resident said the proposal for a logistic park was due to the failure of the city to stop the influx of trucks from going 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."

In a statement, 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.”

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

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

THE POST

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Calls for Clairwood community to object against proposed logistics park