Who decides
Township establishment matters for property in Queenstown and surrounding areas are dealt with by Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, in Eastern Cape. It forms part of the Chris Hani District, but the district municipality is not assumed to decide these applications.
| Municipality | Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (local) |
|---|---|
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Chris Hani |
Local requirements
The aim of township establishment is to establish a new township on undeveloped or agricultural land. Common situations in Eastern Cape towns such as Queenstown include: you are developing a residential estate, business park or mixed-use precinct on raw land.
Areas covered by Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality include Queenstown. Neighbouring municipalities in the Chris Hani District, such as Dr AB Xuma, Emalahleni, Intsika Yethu, Inxuba Yethemba, Sakhisizwe, are separate planning authorities with their own by-laws and schemes, so the correct municipality must be confirmed from the property's location.
Applications are made under Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality's Municipal Planning By-law, read with SPLUMA (2013) and the applicable land use scheme. Decisions are taken by an authorised official or the Municipal Planning Tribunal, with appeals to the appeal authority. Fees, documents and timeframes are set by Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality and change from time to time, so they are confirmed for each matter.
When you may need it
- You are developing a residential estate, business park or mixed-use precinct on raw land
- An existing agricultural holding is to be urbanised
The broad process
- Feasibility and policy review
- Specialist studies and layout
- Application, participation and evaluation
- Approval and fulfilment of pre-proclamation conditions
- General plan, opening of township register and proclamation
Documents commonly required
- Copy of the title deed (later stage, not at enquiry)
- Surveyor-General diagram or general plan
- Zoning certificate or current land-use information
- Power of attorney and owner consent where applicable
- Specialist reports as required by the municipality and other authorities
What affects cost
- Professional planning fees for preparation and motivation
- Municipal application fees set by the relevant municipality
- Advertising and notice costs where public participation is required
- Specialist reports (for example traffic, engineering services or environmental)
- Engineering, environmental, geotechnical and survey professionals
Professional fees, municipal application fees, advertising and specialist costs are quoted separately for each matter. Timeframes depend on completeness, objections, specialist work and municipal processing.
Questions
Which municipality handles township establishment in Queenstown?
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in Eastern Cape is the planning authority for Queenstown. The exact property location should still be confirmed, as municipal boundaries do not always follow town names.
Does the Chris Hani District Municipality decide township establishment applications?
Not by default. Under SPLUMA, local municipalities such as Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality are their own planning authorities for most land-use applications.
What should I check before starting with township establishment in Queenstown?
Useful starting points are: Copy of the title deed (later stage, not at enquiry); Surveyor-General diagram or general plan; Zoning certificate or current land-use information. Title deed conditions, servitudes and previous approvals should also be checked.