Time to Think Outside the Box On Developing Land

Matthew Louw is not the only developer struggling to acquire state land ("We're struggling in vain to acquire land for housing", Cape Points July 30). Last year, the city put tenders out for various "affordable housing" developments in Southfield, Woodstock, Westlake, etc.

So far, almost a year later, nothing has come of it.

In November, the local government put out a tender in Plumstead, and although awarded, the developer concerned is still awaiting the official documents that show it was indeed awarded the tender.

The local government is sitting on vast amounts of land that previously belonged to the now defunct National Housing Board. There is enough land to give each and every developer a piece of the pie, whether for low-cost, affordable or middle-income housing.

MEC for Local Government and Housing Richard Dyantyi, Premier Ebrahim Rasool and MEC for Transport Marius Fransman seem to be so preoccupied with fighting the DA council and the Skwatsha faction that there seems to be no time to address the acute housing shortage.

There are many developers that are financially capable of helping to alleviate the housing problem, but the government needs to make land available as it is too expensive to obtain private land from landowners.

Landowners are looking for up to R3 million per hectare for undone land in the affordable market areas.

With zoning taking anything from 18 to 24 months and the prohibitive cost of the various studies that need to be undertaken before getting the required zoning, it becomes unsustainable and unprofitable. The City also needs to come to the party as it is unacceptable to wait up to 24 months for zoning to be approved. Their policy is to fast-track such zoning (six months), but this is just a pipe dream.

The local and provincial governments need to start working together, start sharing the land and start fast-tracking the awarding of land for development, as the tendering system is just another stumbling block.

Most developers are keen to form joint ventures with one another and to share the pot. It is time to start thinking outside the box. - Cape Argus