Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP)

Ballito Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) Latest News on Set-Up and Implementation

The first big step in the implementation of the Ballito UIP has been made – the raising of the first monthly UIP levy. Commercial properties within the UIP boundaries would have noticed a UIP/SRA levy on their August municipal bill. This is what the UIP Steering Committee has been waiting for and now allows us to set timelines for service delivery on the ground. 

A detailed implementation plan is attached here, but it is important to remember that the UIP is a community initiative aimed at improving the quality of our shared public spaces. We all have to play our part in making visible and measurable changes if we want to put Ballito back on a positive path of renewal.

This said, improving the quality of public areas on its own is not going to transform the experience of Ballito. We need you, the members to please assist in doing what you can to improve the boundaries of your properties that border on public areas. Be it a coat of paint or a well-kept verge, it is the collective effort that will transform our town.

The timing of UIP services on the ground is dependent on the actual revenue paid to the UIP by the Municipality as well as the collection of a reserve of ideally two months of operational budget. The August levies are expected to be paid over by the Municipality to the UIP Non-Profit Company in late September and it is important to note that only those levies received by the Municipality are paid over to the UIP. Note that legislation requires all Members within the UIP to contribute their UIP levy, with UIP levy arrears subject to the same collection process as that of Municipal Rates.

Although only commercial properties are officially contributing via the payment of the UIP levy raised by the Municipality, a big thank you must be extended to the residential property owners on the beachfront who, as of 1 July, have commenced with voluntary contributions to the UIP. This is a great show of faith in the UIP structure and its role in significantly improving the experience of the beachfront node. The lion’s share of residential contribution will fund night security along the entire boardwalk and beachfront when UIP security is deployed on 1st November. Funds accumulated until then will be directed to high visibly improvement projects to be completed during November, just in time for season!

Again, this is a community initiative and so we ask that you please forward all your special projects suggestions for public areas to Cara Reilly at cara@urbanmgt.co.za. Delivery of these UIP services will cover specific high-use public areas including the entrances to Ballito on the N2 and M4, Ballito Business Park and surrounding commercial properties, Ballito Drive, Compensation Road, the boardwalk and adjacent beach.

The UIP will have its own dedicated Precinct and Security Managers supported by a team of security personal and landscaping / cleaning / maintenance staff.

What Services Will The Ballito UIP Provide?

• Lobbying the municipality for investment in economic enabling infrastructure
• Improving municipal service levels, e.g. road repairs, cleaning of the beaches, grass cutting etc.
• Provision of supplementary privately contracted services: security guards to public areas of the boardwalk, Compensation Road and business precinct, street and beach cleaning staff
• Landscaping services including reoccurring maintenance and special beautification projects.
• General maintenance e.g. painting, minor infrastructure repairs like paving, sign straightening
• A 24 hour UIP emergency call number and fault reporting service, which follows up with the municipality until the task is completed
• Lobbying private property owners to improve boundaries bordering on public areas and general upgrades.
• Website and communication network for disseminating latest news, advisories, community updates etc.
• Branding, place-making and marketing of Ballito in partnership with the relevant stakeholders