Save Scottburgh Flea Market

It appears that Umdoni Municipality is determined to do just as it pleases with communal land (and scarce financial resources) without any due consideration for or consultation with affected Umdoni stakeholders and ratepayers, including those who earn a living from the Flea Market, and those for whom the Flea Market represents a central and convenient commercial and social location and event, complete with adequate parking and even a beautiful large shade-bearing tree.

Although it is acknowledged that there is a need for additional municipal office space, there are alternatives to the Flea Market site, which could adequately house whatever office extensions may be considered necessary.

It is also unnecessary to construct a new and enlarged council chamber, especially considering that this will be used only once a month and that the existing Town Hall would be absolutely suitable for this purpose, without incurring any unnecessary expenditure.

Umdoni Municipality’s intended action will consume R55m of taxpayers’ and ratepayer’s funds, at a time when the SA economy is in decline, and while both the Scottburgh beachfront and CBD remain half-renovated.