Bisley residents oppose construction of community hall
Residents of Bisley are furious that the building of a community hall in the area is forging ahead despite their objections to its construction.
The residents say that they were not properly consulted and that due processes, including the tender process, were not followed.
Chairperson of the Bisley Ratepayers Association, Nicholas Arokiam, said the problem began a few years ago when inconspicuous notices were pushed into their postboxes regarding the Integrated Development Programme (IDP) of the Msunduzi Municipality to build a community hall at the corner of Holder and Oribi Roads. The land was donated by national government and the funding for the project was sourced from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
However, the residents say no environmental impact survey was conducted and the by-laws of the municipality were transgressed to enable the project to continue. “We have asked for the results of the environmental impact survey, but we have yet to receive them. This confirms [our suspicions] that the survey was not done,” Arokiam said. He added that although meetings have been held, the answers they have received are vague and unclear.
“The people directly affected by this project have not been consulted. There has been absolutely no communication with those who have sent in written objections,” said Arokiam. He added that a community hall is an outdated facility, and that the residents do not want such a facility in their area.
Another resident, Jean du Bois, is adamant that residents were not properly consulted and informed about the development. “The roads are defined by potholes, the grass is overgrown, the street lights don’t work and the refuse collection is irregular. Surely these problems should be attended to first, before spending millions of rands on something that will serve no purpose. What is the point of a hall that will serve no purpose? The community does not want this,” said du Bois.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said the previous ward councillor pushed the project through. He also said no proper consultation with residents had taken place, and questioned the modus operandi of the project, saying residents have not received feedback regarding their objections, which they submitted in writing.
“This is basically a waste of the taxpayers’ money. Residents have opposed the development, but we have been ignored and our objections thrown out of the window,” he added.
He added that the company that has been awarded the tender to build the hall does not appear to be competent or suitably prepared for the task. “The company does not have their own vehicles and the person in charge comes to the site using the Uber taxi service,” he added.
Despite multiple attempts, municipal comment was not forthcoming at the time of going to print.