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Regulations repeal public notices
New regulations that will dispense with newspaper notices about land use and township planning have raised alarm among professional and civic organizations which rely on the news media for public information about these developments.
If implemented, the regulations - part of the Gauteng Planning and Development Act - will repeal various local ordinances which provide for the publication of certain notices in newspapers. The law provides that the notices will in future be published in the Provincial Gazette - a publication that private town planners say is simply not accessible to the majority of citizens and small businesses.
A law firm that has analysed the regulations says the public, as well as all parties who have an interest in land use management, townships and development, should be concerned because newspapers have been the traditional source of public notices and provide an effective instrument for members of the public to respond to or object to proposed developments and other applications.
"The regulations propose that the owners of adjoining properties or ward councilors be informed of developments. But in principle all the inhabitants of a province should be informed of issues which may affect them, their environment or their properties."
