During a tour of Hout Bay Harbour’s derelict buildings, a group of frustrated residents reminded government representatives that the community should be involved in the renovations.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has said that a meeting with Hout Bay community representatives on plans for the harbour would take place in October or November (“Harbour: Public Works keeps Hout Bay guessing,” Sentinel, September 6).

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis toured the harbour’s derelict state-owned buildings on Friday September 20 to gauge the extent of the rot.

“Abandoned buildings have become a burden for the cities in which they are located, often attracting criminal elements and affecting property values.

“The state is simply unable to maintain and secure all of its buildings in the current fiscal environment, and therefore partnerships will be essential,” said Mr Macpherson.

On the day, the mayor and the minister agreed to form a joint task team between the national department and the City to find ways to use state-owned properties for public good, said Mr Macpherson’s spokesperson, James de Villiers.

However, during the tour of one of the abandoned buildings near Snoekies restaurant, some residents voiced their frustration after security officials barred them from entering.

Hout Bay Harbour steering committee member Jerome Allen said he had only heard about the harbour tour through social media.

“The department elected us so why don’t they communicate through us? There needs to be more engagement with the committee and community because that’s why so many people are frustrated.

“This problem has been brewing for years. There’s distrust in the community, and now we’re seeing a wall between us here of public officials. We’ve been branded as hooligans since the 2010 uprising. In their eyes, we aren’t people,” he said.

When the Sentinel asked Mr De Villiers about residents being barred from a section of the tour, he said: “The minister and mayor briefly engaged in a meeting at the building, whereafter the public was allowed to freely enter the abandoned building.”

The mayor’s spokesperson, Lyndon Khan, added: “It was unclear what the group’s intention was relating to the oversight visit. However, a commitment has been made to engage with them.”

Progress on renovations at the harbour would be monitored on a monthly basis, Mr Khan said.

Mr Hill-Lewis said: “Some of these buildings and land parcels could be released for affordable housing, while others should simply be demolished or sold so that they can be put to more productive use.

“We would also like to see Hout Bay Harbour reach its full economic and tourism potential after many years of neglect. We are excited about the prospects of a partnership with the national government to improve the infrastructure, safety, and local economic activity around this harbour.”

Hout Bay Harbour steering committee vice-chairperson Haneefa Opperman told the Sentinel that they had yet to receive any emails from the department about plans for a meeting.

“We didn’t even know about this tour beforehand. We only heard through the grapevine that it was taking place. Then we heard from someone that the department will meet with us on Friday October 4. We didn’t receive any emails yet,” she said.

After the tour, business owners in the community were invited to a meeting with the mayor and the minister, but the Sentinel and some members of the community, including steering committee members, were not granted admission to this briefing.

“At this meeting, planning arrangements and priorities to partnering and improving the precinct were discussed. More details will be communicated via the technical joint committee process once this begins,” Mr Khan said.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis inspect a derelict state-owned building during a tour of the Hout Bay Harbour on Friday September 20.

Hout Bay Harbour steering committee member Vigil Adams tells mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, left, that the community’s concerns about upgrades for the harbour should be addressed.

Some residents, including the Hout Bay Harbour steering committee members, were not allowed inside a meeting, which was held with investors and business owners after the harbour tour.

#investing

Residents voice concerns during harbour tour