FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DRIVES URBAN RENEWAL AND INVESTMENT
The Economic Development and Planning Committee of the eThekwini Municipality, at its meeting held on 20 May, recommended several strategic programmes aimed at accelerating urban renewal, attracting investment, strengthening governance, and advancing environmental sustainability in Durban.
Chairperson of the Committee, Councillor Thembo Ntuli, applauded the success of recent major events hosted in Durban under the leadership of the Committee, including the Metro FM Music Awards, Africa’s Travel Indaba, and the 28th Durban Business Fair, noting their positive contribution towards supporting local businesses, driving tourism growth, creating jobs, and stimulating economic activity across the city.
The recommended initiatives reinforce the City’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, biodiversity protection, and the revitalisation of key urban spaces.
All matters remain subject to approval by the Executive Committee (EXCO) and Full Council.
CITY MAKES STRIDES IN TACKLING PROBLEM BUILDINGS
The Committee received a progress report on the eradication of problem buildings for the 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years, reflecting significant progress in addressing unsafe, abandoned, hijacked, and illegally occupied properties across the inner city and surrounding areas.
During the reporting period, the Municipality attended to approximately 53 buildings, of which about eight were government-owned and the remainder privately owned, through coordinated enforcement, compliance monitoring, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
The intervention forms part of the City’s broader urban regeneration programme aimed at improving public safety, restoring investor confidence, enhancing the built environment, and unlocking economic activity in strategic precincts.
The report highlighted ongoing awareness and compliance initiatives educating property owners on legal responsibilities, turnaround requirements, and available support mechanisms to rehabilitate buildings.
To encourage redevelopment, qualifying developments within targeted precincts may benefit from fast-tracked applications and incentives of up to 50 percent on development-related fees.
Committee members welcomed the visible progress made, noting that improvements within the inner city are beginning to restore business confidence and strengthen Durban’s appeal as a tourism and investment destination.
MAJOR INVESTMENTS TO BOOST JOBS AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
The Committee further recommended approval of incentives in terms of the Economic Development Incentive Policy (EDIP) for strategic investment projects by Image Packers and Distributors (Pty) Ltd, Insimbi Ridge (Pty) Ltd (SPV), and Carelli Investments (Pty) Ltd.
Image Packers and Distributors will invest approximately R17.3 million in a warehouse and distribution facility at Dube TradePort, creating jobs and qualifying for a 30 percent rates rebate over three years.
Insimbi Ridge will invest approximately R653 million in a 33 500 square metre agro-processing and logistics facility in Cato Ridge. The development includes cold storage, cargo handling, and export infrastructure, with the project expected to create 120 temporary and 21 permanent jobs while qualifying for an 80 percent rates rebate.
Carelli Investments will invest approximately R1 billion in a new industrial and warehouse development in New Germany, creating approximately 330 permanent jobs. Due to its significant economic impact and job creation potential, the project qualifies for a 100 percent rates rebate.
The Committee noted that all three developments met the required compliance and qualifying criteria in terms of the EDIP framework.
These investments are expected to strengthen industrial capacity, support business retention, expand infrastructure, create employment opportunities, and reinforce Durban’s position as a competitive investment destination.
BIODIVERSITY REPORT SHOWCASES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In addition, the Committee received the Municipality’s Annual State of Biodiversity report, highlighting ongoing environmental conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience initiatives across eThekwini.
The report outlines interventions to protect natural ecosystems, restore degraded environments, manage invasive alien species, strengthen coastal and riverine management, and conserve biodiversity assets.
During the reporting period, more than 1 000 hectares of invasive alien plants were cleared through environmental restoration programmes, benefiting 248 beneficiaries and creating 991 training opportunities linked to green jobs and climate adaptation initiatives.
The Municipality also planted approximately 19 908 indigenous trees comprising 52 species across 25.29 hectares to support ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
The City continues to prioritise biodiversity protection as a key component of sustainable development, recognising the role healthy ecosystems play in supporting tourism, water security, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and community wellbeing.
The report further demonstrates the Municipality’s commitment to balancing development with environmental sustainability while strengthening Durban’s reputation as a leading green and resilient African city.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
