PORT ELIZABETH WITH YOU FOR
Truck Sales Breakdown Assist Roadworthy Full Workshop THE LONG RUN Offer available while stocks last through authorised Isuzu Truck Dealers. Terms and conditions apply.
Candice: 076 182 7438
67201 ADMAKERS.COM
We offer:
Frikkie: 082 788 4282
Williams Hunt PE Truck Centre | Tel: 041 396 4600 Archie Close, Young Park, Port Elizabeth
90 000 COPIES WEEKLY
PE Express Newspaper
@PEExpress1
WEDNESDAY October 2, 2013 |0 041 503 6111 | Email express@media24.com | peexpress.mobi | www.peexpress.co.za
EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE
Vacancies cause delays in building plan approval REPORTER
W
HILE the municipality say they have addressed the delay in the approval of building plans, some people in the building sector believe the municipality’s solution for the situation is only a temporary measure and a more permanent solution must be found as a matter of urgency.
Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said there have been delays in the approval of building plans due to the long outstanding appointment of a plans examiner. “The appointment issues should be resolved within the next 2 to 3 weeks after a meeting was held between the Director of Land Planning and the Acting Executive Director Human Settlements to find a solution. Interviews are scheduled for this week. All this information has been communicated to the industry.” The SA Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA), however, last week issued a statement saying the sudden stoppage of building plan approvals in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality is causing serious concern in the commercial and industrial property sector “Building plan approvals at the metropolitan municipality came to a grinding halt some three weeks ago, largely due to shortages of technical staff in the building control department,” said SAPOA CEO Neil Gopal. “The impact of these delays on SAPOA members is significant, and as an industry we are concerned about the increased financial risks of longer property development holding costs,” said Gopal. SAPOA’s Port Elizabeth Regional Chairman Mark Bakker, decided to escalate the issue to SAPOA’s Head Office because of its urgency for members. “The delay in approvals has a ripple effect for developers and investors,” explained Bakker. “Without approved plans, financing cannot be secured and construction cannot com-
mence.” Although there are now two officials from the Architectural department to assist in the short-term, the delay is anticipated to continue for another two weeks. The overall impact could be more than a month of delays in building approvals.
“For the local economy, there is an equally detrimental effect on the number of jobs created by construction projects,” added Bakker. A member of the Master Builders Association (MBA) in PE said they had also been concerned about the matter but had not found it critical. “We are, however, concerned that the
municipality is relying on a temporary solution by sending officials from the Architectural department to assist in the matter. Our main concern is that they are not filling the positions needed to ensure that this problem does not arise once more,” said an MBA representative,who did not want to be named.
Christmas Shop to bring joy once more The Christmas Shop will once again put young and old in the Christmas spirit when they walk through the magical doors of this store from Friday, October 4. The shop is situated in the Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre (close to Checkers). For more informa tion and more photos, turn to page 14. PHOTO: TANYA VAN ZYL