Newcastle Municipality is one of the seven accredited municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal to have entered into an agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Public Works.
This agreement is set to launch a mega catalytic housing project known as Empangeni Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP). The project will provide almost 10,000 housing opportunities for the region.
According to Mlungisi Khumalo, spokesperson for the Department of Human Settlements and Public Works, MEC, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, will host a signing ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023, during which the seven accredited municipalities will enter into an Implementation Protocol agreement with the Provincial Human Settlements Department.
The municipalities that are part of this agreement include eThekwini, Msunduzi, KwaDukuza, Ray Nkonyeni, Alfred Duma (Ladysmith), Newcastle, and the event host City of uMhlathuze.
Khumalo notes that these seven high-capacity municipalities enjoy Level One and Level Two Accreditation Statuses in their Developer Status roles in housing provision. Meanwhile, the Empangeni IRDP mega catalytic project is set to radically alter the human settlements landscape of the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast economic giant municipality.
“The IRDP is expected to yield almost 10,000 housing opportunities employing various policy instruments as the project is a mixed-use housing project consisting of different typologies including Breaking New Ground, First Home Finance (previously known as FLISP), Rental Stock and Serviced Sites,” said Khumalo.
The Department has already completed major groundwork in the form of major internal services installation within the Empangeni IRDP Project during the Phase One and Phase Two implementation of the Project.
This includes massive infrastructure for bulk water and sanitation as well as a road network in the IRDP site near the Qalakabusha Correctional Centre on the outskirts of the Empangeni Central Business District on the road to Owen Sithole Agricultural College and further to Dondotha.
“The Empangeni IRDP Project forms part of the Department’s major mega catalytic housing projects presently under implementation across various Districts and Municipalities in the Province. Others are the Cornubia IRDP in eThekwini, the uMshwathi IRDP in uMgungundlovu District, JBC IRDP in Amajuba District,” said Khumalo.
The agreement between the Provincial Human Settlements Department and the seven accredited municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal is set to provide much-needed housing opportunities in the region.
With Newcastle Municipality and Ladysmith Municipality being two of the seven municipalities in NKZN to enter into an Implementation Protocol agreement, the region is poised for major developments that will alter the human settlements landscape.
What are your thoughts? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below.
I wonder what is going to happen with Siyahlala in Newcastle, as the last project never finished the work
This is an golden opportunity for Newcastle residents as it will improve the status of the municipality in becoming the city. More job opportunities will be created. The human settlement is doing great. This is supported 100%.
I really need this work
U Junda??? I doubt it. Let’s wait until Inkatha takes over, then this will happen
Pls help Siyahlala when munipality going put electricity to new houses that they already built past few years ago still no service deliveries. Pls pls help