Planning and development in Johannesburg council, May to September 2026

What this record covers

This page covers 84 chapters tagged with planning and development across 8 sitting days, from 26 May 2026 to 30 September 2026. The planning and development topic includes development planning, infrastructure projects, economic development and the inner city, and only transcribed sittings are covered.

Budget, IDP and maintenance promises

At the Budget Debate on 28 May 2026, Cllr Cook (GOOD) said the budget speech admitted water losses near 45%, electricity losses of 27% and a R220 billion backlog. 28 May 01:54:03 The Executive Mayor, Cllr Morero, confirmed an 8% maintenance budget and said revenue from the water business would be ring-fenced from 1 July 2026. 28 May 03:18:03 promise promise A hand-checked follow-up records the ring-fencing of water business revenue as said to be done in the Executive Mayor's opening statement on 30 September 2026. promise promise

Cllr Kreusch (DA) called the 2026/27 IDP public participation a box-ticking exercise, with each ward allowed two questions. 28 May 04:34:16 28 May 04:25:05 The MMC Finance, Cllr Masuku, said the IDP uses a spatially targeted, needs-based investment approach and asked council to note the report. 28 May 04:54:54 Item 33, the 2027/28 IDP, Budget and Performance Time Schedule, was agreed on 27 August 2026, with the EFF warning of risks from the 4 November election. 27 Aug 00:42:25

Land sales, leases and developments

On 25 June 2026, council approved Item 90, exempting the Thanganani Mega City development in Diepsloot from development contributions, with DA opposition recorded under Rule 84. 25 Jun 03:45:09 25 Jun 03:59:59 MMC Mabaso said a developer was investing R250 million in infrastructure at Thanganani Mega City and that completed houses had stood vacant for over seven months. 25 Jun 03:59:59 Item 64, an amendment of the lease over a portion of Erf 7327 Lenasia Extension 7, was approved after three voice votes, with DA and FF+ dissent recorded. 25 Jun 07:27:34

On 26 August 2026, the DA opposed Items 11 and 12, development sales of Fairland erven, citing outstanding environmental, traffic and City Power studies, and asked for deferral. 26 Aug 07:11:13 MMC Mnisi said the environmental and other studies on the Fairland properties would be done once council authorises the transaction. 26 Aug 07:41:24 promise On Item 15, the Frankenwald and Bergvallei mixed housing developments, MMC Mabaso said the recommendations only authorise negotiations, with any financial agreement to return to Council. 30 Sept 06:55:17

Auckland Park, inner city and informal settlements

Cllr Gwamanda (Al Jama-ah) moved that council initiate a formal declaration of Auckland Park as a student precinct, asking for a Development Planning feasibility study. 25 Jun 05:12:48 Ward councillor Cllr Kyle Jacobs opposed the Auckland Park motion for the DA, citing inadequate infrastructure and lack of resident consultation. 25 Jun 05:19:21 The Auckland Park student precinct motion was carried with 104 yes, 58 no and 4 abstentions, and the ACDP and DA recorded dissent under Rule 84. 25 Jun 05:39:22 The Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Masuku, said that after stakeholder consultation the Auckland Park student precinct must still come back to council for approval. 25 Jun 05:34:25 promise

On Item 31, the Draft Inner City Street and Informal Trading Plan, MMC Mgcina said the Lilian Ngoyi Street designation was on hold pending stakeholder engagement. 30 Sept 09:23:06 promise On 30 September 2026, council approved Item 4, the City of Johannesburg Informal Settlements Policy, and Item 5, the Human Settlements Land Assembly Strategy 2025 to 2040. 30 Sept 04:35:12 30 Sept 04:48:52

Performance reports, plans and strategies

On 22 July 2026, Cllr Ramafikeng reported that Development Planning achieved 76% of its 17 applicable KPIs in quarter three, and the JDA 84% of 19 KPIs. 22 Jul 02:20:56 Cllr Schay (DA) pointed to R96.7 million in JDA interest expense, 1,446% over budget, and stalled projects. 22 Jul 02:28:37 MMC Mgcina acknowledged the problem of unpaid service providers, and Items 1 to 3, the Development Planning and JDA reports, were agreed by voice. 22 Jul 02:45:54

On 26 August 2026, council agreed Item 14, the Township Economies By-law implementation plan, and Items 15 and 16, the Region A and Region E Regional Economic Development Plans. 26 Aug 07:53:24 26 Aug 08:26:17 Item 32, the Economic Growth Strategy and Implementation Plan, was carried on 30 September 2026, with FF+ and the DA voting no and ActionSA abstaining. 30 Sept 02:44:51

Turffontein Clinic and biogas project

The MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Eunice Mgcina, committed to completing the New Turffontein Clinic by the end of September, October at the latest. 27 Aug 00:16:45 promise On 27 August 2026, the MMC for Development Planning said R29.4 million had been spent on the New Turffontein Clinic, against an approved R30 million and an actual R45 million. 27 Aug 00:16:45 A City newsroom article of 29 September 2026 said construction had resumed on the new Turffontein Clinic; an automated check linked this to the completion promise. City, 29 Sept promise

On 25 June 2026, council considered a R50 million transfer to the DBSA to complete the biogas pilot project, with the DA opposing it and asking for a referral to MPAC. 25 Jun 02:34:13 The Acting Mayor, Cllr Masuku, said the biogas pilot project would be completed by July, at the latest December 2027. 25 Jun 02:34:13 promise Cllr Masuku said EISD had committed to submitting quarterly progress reports on the biogas project to council. promise