City Improvement District
A meeting was convened by the Town Planning Department of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality on 21 October 2020 in the Council Chambers to discuss the state of our Central Business District (CBD).
Lack of maintenance to some of the buildings, vacancy rate, cleanliness, and security in the area, was some of the issues discussed. Mr Bheki Khenisa said that a by-law was promulgated in August 2019 regarding the CBD. A copy of the law is available on their website. In the by-law, a section is allocated to a City Improvement District structure. The idea is that all property owners in the area support this structure, and together they will decide how the area will be renewed. STLM will still be responsible for the maintenance of infrastructure in the CBD. A worrying statistic was given that the value of the properties in the area has dropped by 4 to 6%. It will be in the interest of all property owners to meet and agree on the way forward.
Khenisa also said that STLM had appointed 15 peace officers, and they have been equipped with bakkies and motorbikes. These officers will be going for training in Cape Town. STLM has developed a safety and security plan for the festive season. A. Representative from Middelburg Police Station was concerned about the robberies in town. They believe that the bars remaining open attract criminals.STLM officials will also investigate the business licences of the businesses operating in the CBD. It appears that some of the businesses changed their type of business, since applying for the original license. Khenisa also said that STLM has budgeted for a Municipal Court, Magistrate and Prosecutor to deal with municipal infringements.
Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry urges all property owners to contact Anna-Marth Ott so that a meeting can again be held on the way forward. We are aware that there has been several of these meetings over the past decade or so, but with critical mass, we can make a positive change. You are welcome to send your information to secretary@middelburginfo.com; please add the reference CBD and CIDs to the subject line. Property owners will then be informed when the next meeting will be held.