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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Residents learn about multimodal transport benefits in Clairwood meeting
Clairwood residents expressed their views about town planning at a placard protest previously. On Friday, Clairwood residents were informed about how a multimodal transport network and the Cato Ridge inland dry port could help prevent the suburb from becoming a logistics hub. Image: Mthobisi/Nozulela/IOL This week Durban's Clairwood residents were informed about how a multimodal transport network and the Cato Ridge inland dry port could help prevent the suburb from becoming a logistics hub. Warwick Lord, CEO of Cato Ridge Inland Port, gave a presentation to residents in Clairwood on Friday titled: Catalyst for the increased efficiency and sustainability of trade in Sub-Saharan Africa. Desmond D'Sa, coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA),called for the meeting. In 2025, the municipality consulted stakeholders on amending the Land Use Scheme in Clairwood to Special Zone 40: Logistics. This aligned with the Local Area Plan (LAP) adopted by the City in 2014. Lord explained that multimodal transport involves using more than one mode of transport to move goods and offers significant benefits, including lower transportation costs, shorter delivery times, and improved reliability. He stated that this will lead to reduced costs, faster deliveries, and more dependable service. 'In Africa, the integration of road, rail, and maritime transport is vital for optimizing supply chains and improving regional connectivity,' he said. Lord added that South Africa acts as a major gateway for trade in Sub-Saharan Africa, with its extensive coastline and advanced port infrastructure. However, he noted that logistical inefficiencies, regulatory challenges, and infrastructural deficits hinder its potential as a regional logistics hub. He emphasized that inland ports are instrumental in developing integrated transport solutions that strengthen logistics corridors, boosting trade competitiveness. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The country, he said, has well-developed port infrastructure, with major ports handling large cargo volumes. Lord proposed several solutions to strengthen the logistics corridor which includes: - Investment in infrastructure - Development of intermodal facilities - Standardization of processes - Data sharing initiatives - Improved customer services According to Lord, since 9 August 2024 to 3 April 2025, 32 trains have traveled between Durban Port and Cato Ridge, removing approximately 1,408 truck trips from the roads in the past seven months, although December 2024 and January 2025 saw limited volumes. 'The facilities are well-equipped with reach stackers, security generators, and staff. Several local companies are inquiring about capacity and services. We are specifically seeking export clients who can pack goods in Cato Ridge and rail them to the port to ensure balanced loads,' Lord stated. The city's deadline for submissions on the amendment was 8 April 2025. D'Sa described the presentation as excellent and highlighted alternatives that would not involve demolishing residential homes. 'The inland port presentation is an eye-opener and needs political will to be carried through. We did present objections to the city about the rezoning, and we hope we cannot be dictated to and lose our homes. We don't need to build infrastructure such as roads because rail provides a solution," he said.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Councillors back plans to create new youth and arts centre in Donabate
Fine Gael councillor Eoghan Dockrell, Labour councillor Corina Johnston, and Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville, have all welcomed proposals from Fingal County Council to provide a 'much-needed' multi-functional centre. The three local councillors are working with the local community, youth groups and council management to urgently progress the project, which would be located at Ballisk House in Donabate. 'As councillors representing the Donabate–Portrane area, it became abundantly clear to us during the local election campaign in 2024, that the community needs a multi-functional youth and arts space, given our rapidly growing young population,' they said. 'The council's recent Community Sports and Recreation Audit backs this up. 'Such vital community infrastructure must be provided in tandem with residential development, and many in our community feel angry this has not been happening. 'The 2016 Local Area Plan for lands at Donabate, provided for an additional circa 4,000 homes, and also contains an important objective for the provision of a multi-purpose community, arts and youth centre. 'Following a very well-attended public meeting in 2023, the Donabate–Portrane Crossroads Campaign was formed with a mandate to campaign for a multi-functional arts, youth and cultural centre for our area. 'As local councillors working together, we kept this campaign on the agenda at council level and also during meetings with the CEO and senior officials. 'We greatly welcome the fact that Fingal County Council acquired Ballisk House when the credit union closed the facility. 'Previously, the proposals were to move the local library from the existing location in Donabate–Portrane Community Centre and provide a standalone library in Ballisk House. ADVERTISEMENT 'However, we feel these proposals did not have the benefit of targeted community consultation and engagement around the various possible uses of the building, nor were the proposals brought before the previous elected council for formal approval. 'The council will now be working to get the views of local Donabate–Portrane residents in the coming weeks around these new proposals, and we hope that the community at large will agree this is the best use for the site. 'We are confident this new space can be open for the local youth and arts community by the end of the year,' they added. Fingal is the fastest-growing part of the country, and the local authority sees the region as one of the main areas for residential development in Dublin in the years to come. The council said it believed the region has the capacity to facilitate the development of more than 16,000 residential units over the course of its current development plan, which runs until 2029. It said that in the first seven months of 2024, work had commenced on more than 3,300 units. The council said that in Donabate, about 1,200 homes were being provided in one of the largest developments in the country.
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Co Wicklow seafront bar plans to increase building height to four storeys
O'Driscoll's Seaside Bar, at 8 Marine Terrace, Strand Road, is seeking to remove the existing pitched roof and flat roof of the first-floor apartment and build two additional storeys to provide two two-bed apartments, with a new pitched roof and balconies to the front. The plans also include a new entrance lobby with stairwell and lift to the proposed apartments, as well as a new entrance door to the pub itself. The application states that the plans represent 'a comprehensive upgrade' of the first-floor apartment, which was built in 1979, to deliver two additional high-quality residential units. The apartments will be constructed to modern standards, achieving a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A1, with contemporary internal finishes and generous amenity standards. Each unit will be independently accessed via a new entrance lobby and lift, formed within the footprint of the ground-floor pub, which will remain in operation. The site, in the Bray seafront area, is zoned 'Objective SF', to provide for 'the development and improvement of appropriate seafront uses' under the Local Area Plan, with the purpose being to protect and enhance the character of the seafront area and to provide for mixed-use development including appropriate tourism, retail, leisure, civic and residential uses. The applicant states that the proposed development would accommodate the continued operation of the existing bar, as well as the provision of three new homes, the result being a mixed-use building in keeping with the zoning objective for the site. The design for the development, with a total height of four storeys, is also compliant with the requirements for new developments on the seafront to be no more than four storeys. The application, in summary, states that the proposed development 'represents a sustainable, design-led solution for increasing residential provision in Bray. It supports the continued vibrancy of the seafront area and aligns with local and national planning policy.' The closing date for submissions is Monday, May, 19, 2025.
